1. MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism

3. Think about it… Do you think it is a good thing to love your nation?
Why or Why not?
Do you think there is such a thing as loving your nation too much? What might be some negative consequences of this? (Hint: Consider the Cartoon)
What unites people of the same nation? What do people in a nation have in common?

4. Causes of WWI
Militarism: to glorify the military and invest heavily in strengthening armed forces.
Alliances: Agreements between two nations to protect each other in case of threat of war
Imperialism: The political or economic domination of one country over another country.
Nationalism: Intense devotion to one’s nation, and the belief that one country is superior to all others

5. Nationalism: Intense devotion to one’s nation, and the belief that one country is superior to all others.
2 Types of Nationalism
Civic nationalism– Based on the idea that citizens are loyal to a nation because of the rights that nation has provided them.
Example….. The U.S. (today)
Ethnic nationalism—Based on the idea that citizens are loyal to a nation because that nation represents their specific ethnic group.
Examples….. Germany

6. Ethnic Nationalism - a cause of WWI
Ex.) French Nationalism
Alsace-Lorraine was a French Territory.
Germany defeats France in a war in 1871
Germany takes Alsace-Lorraine (a territory that is ethnically/culturally French)
Regaining Alsace-Lorraine from Germany becomes a matter of national pride for the French

8. Ethnic Nationalism-a cause of WWI
Ex.) Serbian Nationalism
Serbia had recently gained independence from the Ottoman Empire
The Austria-Hungarian Empire had control of Bosnia.
The people of Bosnia are ETHNICALLY Serbs
Serbian nationalists want to take Bosnia from Austria-Hungary to reunite Bosnian Serbs with Serbia

10. Ethnic Nationalism- a cause of WWI
Ex.) German Nationalism
Germany used to be many small warring kingdoms
Germany unites to become a strong nation
German leaders are looking for ways to prove Germany’s greatness

11. Imperialism- A cause of WWI
Imperialism: The political or economic domination of one country over another country.
Why would nationalism lead to imperialism?
Possession of overseas empires becomes the proof of a nation’s power and greatness in Europe.
In other words, nations want to prove their power by controlling other nations.

12. Imperialism- A cause of WWI
Great Britain has an enormous empire in Africa and Asia.
France had a huge African Empire
German leaders want what Great Britain and France have… and they are increasingly willing to fight for it!

13. Militarism– a cause of WWI
Militarism: to glorify the military and invest heavily in strengthening armed forces.
Germany begins to ready itself for the possibility of war
Builds up the largest standing army in the world (over 2 million soldiers)
Builds the largest and deadliest collection of guns.
Builds war ships (navy) in preparation for possible war with Great Britain.
Great Britain reacts by building more war ships (navy)
France and Russia react by building up their armies.

14. Nations form Alliances
Why do you think that nations began to form alliances at this point?

15. Think about it… One day during lunch you notice a huge group of students start yelling and pushing. As you get closer, you hear some of the students yelling “Fight!” Like the rest, you want to see what’s happening, so you push your way through to find a good spot to watch. You see two student face to face threatening one another. One is a good friend: the other is an ex-friend/current enemy. Your relationship with the ex-friend did not end on good terms; with the ex-friend insulting you. What do you do?
How do you react? Why?
Turn away and leave because the fight does not concern you and getting involved will only mean trouble.
Convince a couple of friends to help you separate the two students before they hurt each other.
Get in the fight on your friend’s side and punch out the ex-friend who had insulted you and yours.

16. Think about it (continued)
Which of the following foreign policy best represents your reaction to the cafeteria fight?
Neutrality/Isolation: Strict non-involvement in the affairs of other nations.
Internationalism: A policy of cooperation among all nations, especially in politics and economic matters.
Forming Alliances: Agreements between two nations to protect each other in case of threat of war

17. Alliances- a cause of WWI
Alliances: Agreements between two nations to protect each other in case of threat of war
As the threat of war increased, nations developed alliances. European nations signed treaties agreeing to protect each other if any other country tries to declare war on them.
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Great Britain

19. Trigger: ASSASSINATION of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Remember: Serbian Nationalists believed that Austria-Hungary should give up Bosnia, because it contained a large population of Serbians
A Bosnian-Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip shoots and kills Austria-Hungarian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife.
(Note: He wasn’t from SERBIA, he was from BOSNIA)

20. Trigger: Austria-Hungary Reacts to Assassination
On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a lengthy list of demands in reaction to the assassination, and gives only 48 hours for Serbia to agree to ALL demands… OR ELSE!!
Serbia replied to the Austria-Hungarian demands with a peaceful not, stating that Serbia wished the conflict to be resolved by the international Tribunal at the Hague.
This offer was rejected, and on July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Germany is Austria-Hungary’s ally. What should Germany do?

21. Think about it…
Should you always support a friend no matter what they do? Why or why not?
Was Austria-Hungary justified in declaring war against Serbia?
Germany was Austria-Hungary’s ally. What should Germany have done?

22. Alliances lead to World War I
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia in July 28, 1914
Russia (Serbia’s ally) declares war on Austria-Hungary.
Germany (Austria-Hungary’s ally) declares war on Russia.
France (Russia’s ally) declares war on Germany
Germany declares war on Belgium (a neutral country) in order to more effectively attack France.
Great Britain (an ally of France and Belgium) declares war on Germany.