1. Intro to World War I

2. Eastern Europe
Most of eastern Europe had formed alliances with one another
Many colonies had been formed in Eastern Europe, drawing outside forces into the tension

3. The Political Environment
The small nation of Bosnia was annexed by growing European power Austria-Hungary
Many Bosnians felt that they should be allied with the nation of Serbia, with whom they shared more of a culture
Many Europeans were concerned about the growing power of Austria-Hungary, and their principal ally, Germany
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914

4. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Archduchess Sophie of Austria Hungary

5. The Assassination
After annexing Bosnia, The heir to the Austrian throne, The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, made an official state visit to their new territory
There to welcome his new subjects to the empire
Many didn’t appreciate the visit
1st attempt in the parade
Terrorist bomb that injured two officers in another rear
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophia were unharmed
Continued the parade and visit

6. The Assassination
After visiting wounded soldiers in local hospitals, The Archduke’s car was intercepted by another terrorist, Gavrilo Princip, who fired two shots.
The first hit Princess Sophia in the stomach, killing her almost instantly
The second hit the Archduke in the chest. He died shortly after.
Princip was arrested, but the damage had been done
The assassination was the trigger for World War I
Gavrilo Princip

7. Cartoon Time

8. The Response
Sensing the unrest, the Austrian government sent troops to keep the people under control
This began the activation of several different alliances that would draw most of the world into what would be call “The Great War”

9. 4 Causes of World War I
While Princip’s actions triggered the series of actions, the causes of the war were more profound:
Imperialism: the expansion of nations through the acquisition of territory and political influence
Militarism: The aggressive expansion of military powers by several nations in the area
Nationalism: the pride of a people in their heritage, history and culture
Alliances: The promise among nations to aid in the defense of each other in the event of an attack

10. Austria Declares War
Feeling that the Serbs were behind the assassination of the Archduke and terrorism activities in Bosnia, Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914
The invasion of Serbia by the Austrians started a chain of events that spiraled out of control

11. The Snowball
In response to the declaration of war by Austria led to the mobilization of Serbia’s main ally, the Russians
Mobilization: preparing for war
In response, Austria's main ally, Germany, demand that the Russians stand down, which they refused to do, so Germany began to mobilize
In response to Germany’s mobilization, France began to mobilize…

12. Timeline July 28: Austria declares war on Serbia
August 1: Germany declares war on Russia and France
Schlieffen Plan: Attack and destroy France quickly and then concentrate on the Russians
August 4: Britain declares war on Germany
Central Powers vs. The Allies
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary
Allies: Russia, France, Serbia, Great Britain

13. A New Kind of War New Weapons New tactics Machine guns
Chemical Warfare
Tanks
Aircraft
New tactics
Trenches
Guerilla warfare

14. The Schlieffen Plan Fails
After Smashing Belgium, the German advance into France was stopped at the Marne River
Met a combined French and British forced settled into trenches
Were able to force the Germans entrench themselves, creating a stalemate
Stalemate – situation where neither side is able to gain an advantage