2. WWI Facts & Figures  1914-1918  “Great War”  Over 15 million dead  Cost $350 Billion  Causes hatred, resentment, economic depression, and extreme nationalism

3. Causes of WWI  Nationalism – the belief that a specific nation, language, or culture is superior to all others.  Example - Problems in Balkan Peninsula, Slavs living in Austria- Hungary want to be part of Serbia.

4. Causes of WWI  Imperialism – countries competing to build overseas empires, arguing over land in Europe.  Example – France vs. Germany over border region called Alsace-Lorraine

5. Causes of WWI  Militarism – policy of aggressive military preparedness.  Example – Germany, France, Great Britain built largest armies and navies ever.  Why?

6. Causes of WWI  Alliance System – In late 1800s European countries began to form alliances to create a balance of power.  Balance of Power – a situation in which the strength of rival alliances is nearly equal.  Examples  Triple Alliance  Triple Entente

7. Triple Alliance

8. Triple Entente

9. Causes of WWI  The Balkans is a “powder keg”.  The spark that ignites it is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip being dragged away by police after killing Franz Ferdinand.

10. Who’s Got Our Backs? Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary Germany declares war on Russia & France Britain declares war on Germany Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia The Great War has begun!

11.  Triple Alliance becomes Central Powers. Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire join Germ and AH.  Triple Entente becomes Allied Powers. Britain, France, Russia joined by Italy.