1. International Conflicts and Threats to Peace in the 20th Century
The First World War (WWI)
( )

2. 5th October (MON) The background of the First World War
We will take a test on
5th October (MON)
Please revise:
The background of the First World War
The four causes of the War

3. Background of the War The war took place during
It was an international one since countries from Europe, Asia and America fought in this war.

4. Background of the War
To understand why the war happened, we have to read about the relations of the Western powers during :
The Industrial Revolution had started in the West, so the Western states and to compete for colonies in Asia and Africa to find overseas markets for their manufactured goods;
They also competed the land in the Balkan peninsula in south-eastern Europe.

5. Background of the War
The spread of nationalism had led to the rise of Germany and Italy, but their relations with other great European powers were not too friendly in this period.

6. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Isolated: Britain~
She was the strongest colonial power at that time. The colonies included India, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Burma and Malaysia.
She was not so interested in European affairs. She wanted to maintain trade with her colonies. Thus, Britain adopted a policy of splendid isolation.

7. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Britain~
3. However, with rising military and economic threats from Germany, Britain gradually formed alliances with other countries to maintain (keep) her position in Europe, and even in the world.

8. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Revengeful: France
She was defeated by Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War ( ) and had to cede land and pay reparations to Prussia. Later, Germany united Prussia as the new Germany.
France wanted to take revenge on Germany.

9. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Declining: Austria-Hungary~
It was a multi-national empire. So that it was gradually weakened by the national groups fighting for independence.
2. It expanded into the Balkans after 1870, and came into conflicts with Serbia and Russia.

10. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Weak: Italy~
Italy was the weakest of the European powers. She had colonial conflicts with France in Africa.
2. She formed an alliance with Germany and Austria- Hungary.

11. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Expanding: Germany~
She was a new industrial power that actively set up colonies and aimed to surpass Britain.
The military aggression of Germany threatened other European powers.
Germany wanted to isolate France to prevent France from attacking.

12. The European situation before the War in the late 19th century
Ambitious: Russia~
She had the biggest state with the largest army in Europe, but her economy was weaker than most other powers.
2. She hoped to expand into Asia and the Balkans, and this led to conflict with Austria-Hungary.

13. Table of relations Hostile nations (敵對的) Reasons Britain Germany
Germany threatened its military and economic status
France
Austria-Hungary
Defeated by Germany in war
Britain and France
Challenged Britain’s economic

14. Causes of the War
The main factors that caused the mistrust among the European powers are :
1) The Alliance System
2) The armaments race
3) Colonial rivalries
4) The rise of extreme nationalism

15. Causes of the War Starting the Alliance System:
1) In order to isolate France and prevent her from taking revenge, in 1873, German Chancellor Bismarck formed the Three Emperors’ League with Russia and Austria- Hungary, which marked the start of Alliance System.

16. Causes of the War The Triple Alliance
 Formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882.
The Triple Entente
 Formed by Britain, Russia and France in 1907.

17. Causes of the War Effects of the Alliance System
1) These two groups of powers opposed to each other. If there was a conflict between any of them, no power was left to bring peace or to stop the war.
2) When war broke out between members of an opposite camp, other members would also join the war.

18. Causes of the War—the armaments race
Armaments were symbols of strength of a nation. The European powers wanted to protect their own countries, they also wanted to protect their overseas colonies and trade.

19. Causes of the War—the armaments race
Took place during
They raced to:
Expand their armies through conscription (called more young men to join the army) and modern training methods
Build dreadnoughts: a larger and more powerful type of warship
Develop new weapons: cannons, machine guns.

20. Causes of the War—the armaments race
Two disarmament conferences were held in 1899 and 1907 respectively at the Hague in Holland, but failed in the end.
Effects of the armaments race
It increased tensions in Europe.
Every power from each camp had to keep up the military power with one another, they would increase their armaments.
Each power had large stores of weapons for preparations of war in the case of a conflict.

21. Causes of the War—the colonial rivalries
The European powers fought for colonies for economic and political reasons
Economic reasons:
Began setting up colonies to obtain more raw materials and overseas markets in Asia and Africa.

22. Causes of the War—the colonial rivalries
Political reasons:
Britain— having many colonies to keep her powerful position in European.
Germany and Italy— setting up more colonies to show their status and power.
France— setting up more colonies to re-established its power status after having defeated in the Franco- Prussian War.

23. Causes of the War— the colonial rivalries
Several incidents occurred due to the colonial rivalries during :
Conflict over Tunisia
The Moroccan Crises
Year took place
1881
; 1911
Powers involved
France vs Italy
France vs Germany
Places to be colonized
Tunisia (northern Africa)
Morocco (northern Africa)

24. Causes of the War—the colonial rivalries
Conflicts over Tunisia
The Moroccan Crises
Develop-ments
Both France and Italy wanted to invade Tunisia as their colony, but Italy failed in the end.
France and Germany fought for Morocco as their colony, but Germany failed in the end.
Results/ effects
Italy joined the alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, and turned it into the Triple Alliance
Their relations became worsened.

25. Causes of the War— Extreme Nationalism
It is a belief that people within one nation and with the same customs, language, religion and history should have the right to self-government.

26. Causes of the War— Extreme Nationalism
Before 1871, the nationalism helped many European states (such as Belgium and Germany) win independence or unite to form single nations.
It turned extreme after 1871.

27. Causes of the War— Extreme Nationalism