1. The Spark of 1914 Tensions between the two European alliances erupt into a European-wide conflict.

2. Main Causes of WWI 1) Militarism  Led to military buildups and a naval arms race 2) Alliances------------------------------  Committed nations to support one another if attacked  Created a situation in which a small war would escalate 3) Imperialism  Encouraged competitiveness 4) Nationalism  Encouraged competitiveness and antagonism among nations  Made various ethnic groups want to establish independent nations of their own

3. Trouble in the Balkans  Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro- Hungarian Throne, visited Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia Herzegovinian.  Assassins from the nationalist group known as the Black Hand, or Union of Death fatally wounded Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.  Gavriol Princip (19 years old)

4. German Support  Austro-Hungarian leaders held the Serbians responsible.  William II, the German emperor, threw his support behind Austria- Hungary against Serbia.

5. Declaration of War  Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum, a set of final conditions that must be accepted to avoid sever consequences.  Serbia was to allow AH officials into Serbia to suppress all subversive movements  AH was to lead the investigation into the archduke’s murder  July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

6. A European War  Russia’s Czar, Nicholas II, who wished to save face with the Slavs in the Balkan ordered mobilization of his armed forces against both AH and Germany.  Germany made an ultimatum to Russia to stop its mobilization of troops and asked France if they would remain neutral or support Russia.  Germany Declared War on Russia and France

7. A European War (Continued)  Germany entered Belgium who asked Great Britain for help.  Great Britain demanded that German forces leave Belgium and Germany refused.  Great Britain declared war on Germany

8. Who’s fighting who?

9. Confidence and Rejoicing  Patriotic enthusiasm caused crowds to gather in the streets, squares, and railway stations of European cities to cheer on their respective military forces.  “Right against might”  A local dispute between AH and Serbia eventually became a global conflict that had no clear, limited objective