1. Underlying Causes of World War I
AP World History
World War I Video

2. Vocabulary Alliance: a formal agreement for mutual benefit
Nationalism:
devotion or loyalty to one’s nation
Militarism:
the idea of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war
Imperialism:
the idea of extending the rule of a nation over other people

3. Balance of Power
In the late 19th century European leaders believed that creating a balance of power could prevent a large scale war.
Balanced Powers
England
France
Russia
Germany

4. Balance of Powers Germany did not want to fight a war on two fronts.
Germany tried to ally itself with Russia or France, but negotiations failed.
Germany developed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy known as the…
Triple Alliance
(Germany is sandwiched between Russia and France)

5. The Response
France, Russia, and Great Britain responded by forming their own alliance called the…
Triple Entente

6. The Spark
In the late 1800’s Otto Von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Prussia, predicted “some damned foolish thing in the Balkans” would ignite the next big war.

7. The Spark
In 1914 the Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand, and heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, visited Sarajevo.

8. The Spark

9. The Spark
On June 28th 1914 Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian assassin, shot and killed the Archduke and his wife.

10. The Spark

11. Chain Reaction One thing quickly led to another…
On July 23rd Austrian leaders demanded apologies from Serbia
On July 24th an angry Serbia sought help from Russia, and received a promise of support if Austria were to attack
On July 28th after no response from Serbian leaders, Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia

12. Chain Reaction In the next several days…
Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary
Germany declared war on Russia
France declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary
Britain joined France and Russia
Europe was at war!

13. Chain Reaction
WW1 Causes Video

14. Causes and the Question
Immediate Cause:
the final act or provoking that directly leads to an event.
Underlying Cause(s):
the provoking or events that lead up to the immediate cause
Example: A drunk driver is killed by crashing his or her car into a tree
What is the immediate cause of death? What is the underlying cause of death?

15. Cause and the Question
Examine the documents that have been given to you and answer the analytical question:
“What were the underlying causes of World War I?”

16. Creating a Balance of Power
Recap
Introduction
Creating a Balance of Power
The Spark
Chain Reaction
Cause and the Question

17. Recap What was the immediate cause of World War I?
The assassination of the Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand
What were the underlying causes of World War I?
Alliances, Nationalism, Militarism, and Imperialism

18. Underlying Causes of World War I
AP World History