1. Title: Causes of World War 1
M.A.I.N

2. Cause # 1: Militarism
Policy of aggressive buildup of a country’s military
Could be used to intimidate, threaten or take over other countries
Kings wore military uniforms to show how much they valued the military
Germany and England competed for the toughest military – arms race

3. Countries created more military weapons “just in case”
Countries created more military weapons “just in case”...they were preparing for conflict

4. Cause # 2: Alliances
By 1914, Europe divided into 2 alliances (groups) for mutual benefit
Triple Alliance = Germany, Italy & Austria-Hungary
Triple Entente = Russia, France, & Britain
Any fights in Europe would cause other countries to be dragged into the drama

6. Alliances were messy Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary
Germany declared war on Russia & France
Great Britain declared war on Germany

7. Great Britain’s declaration of war against Germany made the conflict a true “world war”.

8. = Allies

9. Cause # 3: Imperialism
Europeans wanted to control other nations to gain profits and raw materials
By 1900, England controlled 1/4 of the entire world. WOW! And other countries were jealous. Drama!
This intense competition between Western powers for empires led to conflict!

10. Cause 4: Nationalism
Intense pride, loyalty and devotion to a nation - can lead to conflict
Self-determination = ethnic groups should have their own nation
When groups claim the same areas, it leads to tensions & fighting

11. This was the “IMMEDIATE SPARK”
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife Sofia (next leaders of Austria-Hungary)
June 1914 during a parade in Bosnia
Killer was a member of the Black Hand a Serbian nationalist group who was upset that Austria-Hungary had taken over Bosnia
The Assassin

12. This was the “IMMEDIATE SPARK”
Austria was MAD MAD MAD MAD MAD someone had messed with their beloved nation
Austria told Serbia that they had 3 days to decide - avoid being punished by giving up their independence to Austria
But Austria attacked them before the 3 days were over with their many weapons...
And that’s when other countries showed their MILITARISM, ALLIANCES, IMPERIALISM and NATIONALISM (M.A.I.N.) - Russia attacked Austria-Hungary
World War 1 started

13. Alliance System You be my friend and I’ll be your friend
At this time there were the:
Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
Triple Entente (Allies) – Great Britain, France, Russia (Later the United States