1. World War I
The GREAT War Begins

2. M.A.I.N. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
4 Causes of World War I
M.A.I.N.
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism

3. Kaiser Wilhelm II Ruler of Germany [1888] Did not want to share power
Loved the army
“I and the army were born for one another”
Wanted to show Germany was GREAT!

4. His 2 Critical Mistakes
He let Germany’s treaty with Russia collapse [1892]
Built a large Navy to compete with Great Britain [1897]

5. Alliances divide Europe
Triple Alliance
1882
Triple Entente
1907

6. Crisis in the Balkans Home to various ethnic groups
Formerly controlled by the
Ottoman Empire
Known as Europe’s
Powder Keg

7. Serbia Nationalism was a powerful force
Wanted to absorb all Slavs in the Balkans
Serbia wanted to absorb Bosnia
Slavic = a family of languages including Russian, Polish, Czech, Bulgarian, etc

8. Serbia’s desire for Bosnia created TENSION:
Russia versus Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary controlled
Bosnia
Russia supported Serbian
desire for Slav unity

9. Powder Keg Explodes The Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Bosnia
June 12th, 1914
He was assassinated by a Serbian
Austria-Hungary uses this to punish Serbia

10. The Path to War Balkan (Powder Keg) Assassination of Archduke
Austria threatens Serbia
Austria declares war on Serbia
Russia assembles troops
On Austria’s borders

11. War Simulation
How do alliances possibly lead to war?