1. World War I

2. Long-Term Causes of the War
Imperialism led to international rivalries between European countries
Militarism was pursued as a solution for diplomatic problems (arms race)
The Alliance System that was designed to prevent war only widened the conflict once it began

3. Nationalism in large countries (France,Germany) led those nations to promote their interests over all others
Nationalism within empires (Austria-Hungary) meant people desired independence

4. The War Begins
Serbian nationalists assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand when he visited Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1914
Germany now gave its ally Austria-Hungary a “blank check” to deal with Serbia
A-H then declared war on Serbia, beginning World War I

5. Russia and France, Serbia’s allies, began to mobilize for war
When Germany ordered them to stop, both refused
Germany then declared war on Russia and France
Most countries and colonies were now bound to support one side (Allies) or the other (Central Powers)

7. Germany now faced the dangerous prospect of a two-front war
To avoid this, Germany devised the Schlieffen Plan that involved attacking France through neutral Belgium
Germany could then turn its attention to its larger enemy in the east: Russia

8. Britain declared war on Germany when Germany attacked neutral Belgium
The Schlieffen Plan failed when the Germans were stopped before they reached Paris
Both sides then dug a defensive trench system that moved little between 1914 and 1918
Modern weapons contributed to massive casualties on both sides

9. World War I German U-Boat, or Submarine

10. German U-Boat Sinking an Allied Merchant Ship

12. Poison Gas Attack

13. Soldiers blinded by poison gas

14. The Tank

15. Vickers Machine Gun