1. WWI
Background

2. Causes of WWI Four long term causes Basically, Germany
Nationalism: a deep devotion to ones own nation and culture
Leads to competitive and antagonistic rivalries among nations
Imperialism
Germany industrialized to complete with France & Britain in contest for colonies.

3. Causes of WWI
Militarism: the development of armed forces & use them as a tool of diplomacy.
This coupled with Nationalism is worrisome.
Alliance System
Two major alliance systems developed
Allied Powers: France, Britain, and Russia (later USA)
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

4. Assassination Leads to War
Balkan Peninsula  “the powder keg of Europe”
European countries were competing for influence in the land
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, visited the Bosnian capital and a Serbian nationalist shot and killed him & his wife.
Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia.
Why would this spark a full out world war?
The Alliance System pulled one nation after another into the conflict.
Germany obligated by treaty with Austria-Hungry, declares war on Russia
Germany declares war on Russia’s ally, France
Germany invades Belgium  Britain declares war on Germany & Austria-Hungry