1. Causes of World War I
Unit 5 Notes

2. Causes of World War I
World War I – or the Great War, as it was know by those who fought in it, was the result of several factors that plagued Europe at the beginning of the 20th Century.
A. Among these factors were; Militarism, a series of Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

3. Causes of World War I
II. Militarism – Definition: A policy in which military preparedness is of primary importance to a nation. A. Many European leaders felt they could achieve their goals through the threat or use of force.

4. Causes of World War I
B. Advances in the production of steel and in the ability to produce identical weapons in mass quantities led to an arms race when all of Europe tried to one up each other.

5. Causes of World War I
C. Between 1870 and 1914 Germany and France doubled the size of their standing armies.

6. Causes of World War I
III. Alliances – Definition: an alliance is an agreement between two or more countries each promising to come to one another's aide when needed. Countries who enter into alliances are known as allies.
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7. Causes of World War I The Dual Alliance of 1879
Germany and Austria-Hungary form an alliance to protect themselves from Russia.

8. Causes of World War I
B. The Triple Alliance of 1882 Germany and Austria-Hungary form an alliance with Italy to keep Italy from taking sides with Russia.

9. Causes of World War I
C. The Franco-Russian Alliance of 1884 Russia forms an alliance with France to protect themselves against Germany and Austria-Hungary.

10. Causes of World War I
D. The Triple Entente of 1907 France, Russia, and Great Britain form an alliance to protect themselves from the growing threat of the German Empire.

11. Causes of World War I
IV. Imperialism – Definition: the policy of extending a nations authority and wealth by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political control over other nations.

12. Causes of World War I
With the rise of Industrialization came the increased need for many European nations to secure foreign markets from which they could acquire cheap raw materials and sell their finished products to. This is one of the principles of –
Mercantilism

13. Causes of World War I
V. Nationalism – Definition: The policy of placing the interest of one’s own nation above those of other nations or the world as a whole. In other words; Extreme Patriotism A. Nationalistic movements sprung up all over Europe as a result of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire.

14. Causes of World War I
B. People admired the patriotism and pride the French had in their country and the lengths they were willing to go to secure their rights. And those conquered by Napoleon despised being under French rule and thus developed strong nationalistic feelings toward their own countries.

15. Causes of World War I
C. The Congress of Vienna – following the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1812 the Congress of Vienna attempted to establish a balance of power in Europe. However, it ignored the rising trend of nationalism in Europe and as a result nationalistic movements took hold in Germany, Italy, France, and Austria-Hungary.

16. Causes of World War I
VI. The Trigger Effect A. Austria-Hungary was growing more and more concerned about Serbia’s increasing power, especially its new alliance with Russia.

17. Causes of World War I
B. The Assassination – June 28, 1914 heir to the Austria-Hungary throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are gunned down by a Serbian nationalist. C. This “act of war” was just the excuse Austria-Hungary was looking for in order to declare war on Serbia. D. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the trigger that started World War I.

18. Causes of World War I VII. The Domino Effect
July 23, 1914 – Austria-Hungary presents Serbia with an Ultimatum they know they will not agree to. Russia vows to support Serbia.
July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia.
August 1, 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia
August 3, 1914 – Germany declares war on France
August 4, 1914 – Great Britain declares war on Germany and the world is at war.