1. U NDERLYING C AUSES OF W ORLD W AR I AND I TS O UTBREAK Unit 8 Day 1

2. Bismarck’s Foreign Policy (1871-1890) Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) After the Unification, Bismarck lifted Germany to be the leading nation in Europe while keeping peace among many rivals Following the Franco-Prussian War (1871), Bismarck works to build relationships with European nations that will keep France isolated and weak Establishes Three Emperors League with Austria- Hungary and Russia (1881-1887) Alliance of Conservative monarchies Still maintains relations with France Supports French imperial efforts in Africa

3. William II’s “New Course” (1890-1918)  1888 – William II accedes to the German throne  Almost immediately begins quarrelling with Bismarck over foreign policy  1890 - Bismarck dismissed as chancellor  William begins plotting an aggressive “new course”  1899 - Alienates Britain by supporting Afrikaners in South Africa  1904 - Gambles (and loses) on belief that an alliance between Britain and France over Morocco will fall apart William opposes the French extension of a sphere of influence over Morocco, which Britain agreed to support Brings Britain and France closer together  1907 - Threatens British naval superiority by expanding battleship fleet  Russia, threatened by German aggressiveness and embarassed by Japanese strenghtens ties with Great Britain  Result – Germany increasingly isolated, Britain emerges as new leader

4. The “Balkan Powder Keg” 1878-1914  After 1878 nationalistic tensions in the Balkan states grow to feverish pitch  1878 – Congress of Berlin Bismarck oversees the creation of states of Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina from former Ottoman possessions in Balkans Many ethnic Serbians, Croats, and Romanians still in Austria-Hungary  June 28, 1914 – Austrian heir Archduke Francis Ferdinand and wife Sophie assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Slavic extremist group, The Black Hand July 28 Austria declares war on Serbia  Due to complex web of diplomatic obligations, Germany supports Austria while Russia intervenes on side of Serbians France tied diplomatically to Russia also enters war Three Emperors League replaced by Triple Alliance (France, Russia, Britain)  July 29, Russia goes to war against Austria and Germany  August 2, Germany invades Belgium on the way to France

5. The “Balkan Powder Keg” 1878-1914

6. Assassination in Sarajevo Archduke Francis Ferdinand and Sophie shortly before their murderThe arrest of Gavrilo Pincip, one of the Serbian assassins

7. Trench Warfare

10. Trench Wafare

11. Trench Warfare