1. “ silly generals and pedantic diplomats” A J P Taylor
Causes of World War 1
“ silly generals and pedantic diplomats”
A J P Taylor

2. 1879 The Dual Alliance                                         Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves from Russia
1881 Austro-Serbian Alliance                                      Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of Serbia
1882 The Triple Alliance                                          Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia
1914 Triple Entente (no separate peace)                                      Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately.
                                                                                      
1894 Franco-Russian Alliance                                       Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-Hungary
1907 Triple Entente                                          This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany.
1907 Anglo-Russian Entente                                         This was an agreement between Britain and Russia
1904 Entente Cordiale                                         This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.

3. An Historians View- Robert Wolfsen
“Countries sought and made allies for defensive purposes and the settlement of outstanding disputes between them…..they were not , openly formed for offensive purposes to harm or attack other countries.” Years of Change

4. Alliance System

5. The Tangled Web- Identify the countries/personalities depicted?

7. Imperialism
Lenin famously asserted that the worldwide system of imperialism was responsible for the war
Imperialism
 Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and makes them subject to their rule. By 1900 the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa. With the rise of industrialism countries needed new markets. The amount of lands 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany who had entered the scramble to acquire colonies late and only had small areas of Africa

8. A Slice of the African Cake

10. Militarism
Militarism means that the army and military forces are given a high profile by the government. The growing European divide had led to an arms race between the main countries. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914 and there was fierce competition between Britain and Germany for mastery of the seas. The British had introduced the 'Dreadnought', an effective battleship, in The Germans soon followed suit introducing their own battleships. The German, Von Schlieffen also drew up a plan of action that involved attacking France through Belgium if Russia made an attack on Germany. The map below shows how the plan was to work.

11. Comparative figures on army increase, 1870-1914:
Russia 700, ,300,000
France 380, ,000
Germany 403, ,000
Austria-Hungary 247, ,000
Britain 302, ,000
Italy 334, ,000
Japan 70, ,000
U.S.A. 37, ,000

12. Schlieffen Plan

13. Arms Race
HMS DREADNOUGHT

14. Nationalism
 Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. The Congress of Vienna, held after Napoleon's exile to Elba, aimed to sort out problems in Europe. Delegates from Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the winning allies) decided upon a new Europe that left both Germany and Italy as divided states. Strong nationalist elements led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in The settlement at the end of the Franco-Prussian war left France angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and keen to regain their lost territory. Large areas of both Austria-Hungary and Serbia were home to differing nationalist groups, all of whom wanted freedom from the states in which they lived.

15. Flashpoint Moroccan Crisis
 In 1904 Morocco had been given to France by Britain, but the Moroccans wanted their independence. In 1905, Germany announced her support for Moroccan independence. War was narrowly avoided by a conference which allowed France to retain possession of Morocco. However, in 1911, the Germans were again protesting against French possession of Morocco. Britain supported France and Germany was persuaded to back down for part of French Congo.

16. Flashpoint Bosnian Crisis
 In 1908, Austria-Hungary took over the former Turkish province of Bosnia. This angered Serbians who felt the province should be theirs. Serbia threatened Austria-Hungary with war, Russia, allied to Serbia, mobilised its forces. Germany, allied to Austria-Hungary mobilised its forces and prepared to threaten Russia. War was avoided when Russia backed down. There was, however, war in the Balkans between 1911 and 1912 when the Balkan states drove Turkey out of the area. The states then fought each other over which area should belong to which state. Austria-Hungary then intervened and forced Serbia to give up some of its acquisitions. Tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary was high.

17. Political Tensions
There is no single explanation for the apparent willingness of the nations of Europe to go to war in The political tensions that preceded the war, however is often said to be caused by the following factors;
Colonial rivalry
Economic rivalry
The arms race
French and German hostilities
European military alliances
Nationalism

18. Critical Flashpoint
Archduke Franz Ferdinand's Assassination, 28 June 1914 Updated - Sunday, 3 November, 2002
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on 28 June 1914, set in train a series of diplomatic events that led inexorably to the outbreak of war in Europe at the end of July 1914.
Ferdinand - and his wife Sophie - were killed by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip while on a formal visit to Sarajevo.  Princip shot Ferdinand at point blank range while the latter was travelling in his car from a town hall reception, having earlier that day already survived one assassination attempt

19. Allies Central Powers Britain ( and its Empire ) France Russia Belgium
Italy
USA( JOINED IN 1917)
Serbia, Portugal
Japan
and other minor participants
Central Powers
Germany
Austria Hungary
Ottoman-Turkey
Bulgaria

20. Countdown to World War
June 1914 Franz Duke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne assassinated
28th July Austria Hungary declare war on Serbia. France and Russia back Serbia
30th July Britain and Russia mobilize forces
1st August Germany declares war on Russia
2nd August Germany invades Belgium, declares war on France
4th August Britain declares war on Germany

21. Student Research “Whatever happens, Australia is a part of the Empire right to the full. Remember that when Australia is at war, so is Australia at war.” Prime Minister Cook
Using your textbook, read the section entitled “ Why did Australia become involved in World War 1.
Make a list of the reasons under the following headings;
Political
Strategic
Cultural
Personal
Decisions to go to war are made by governments. Which reasons do you think were the strongest at this level?

22. Why did war start in 1914? Make reference to both the long and short term causes.