1. Causes of The Great War “isms” gone awry

2. NationalismImperialismMilitarism

3. In January 1871 German unification took place under the leadership of Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck and Kaiser William I. Europe was never the same again. In January 1871 German unification took place under the leadership of Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck and Kaiser William I. Europe was never the same again.

4. Secret alliances in Europe were made and changed, sides shifted, but in the end there were two major treaties. Secret alliances in Europe were made and changed, sides shifted, but in the end there were two major treaties.

5. By 1895, Europe was divided into two alliances: The Dual Entente and the Triple Alliance By 1895, Europe was divided into two alliances: The Dual Entente and the Triple Alliance

6. Britain prided herself on her policy of 'Splendid Isolation'. This policy meant that she would only get involved with British Empire matters and didn't wish to tied up in any continental alliance Britain prided herself on her policy of 'Splendid Isolation'. This policy meant that she would only get involved with British Empire matters and didn't wish to tied up in any continental alliance

7. However, Britain became worried about losing control of the seas and foreign intervention in her colonies. However, Britain became worried about losing control of the seas and foreign intervention in her colonies.

8. With the entrance of Britain the Dual Entente became the Triple Entente With the entrance of Britain the Dual Entente became the Triple Entente

9. There were other, smaller alliances too - such as Russia's pledge to protect Serbia, and Britain's agreement to defend Belgian neutrality. There were other, smaller alliances too - such as Russia's pledge to protect Serbia, and Britain's agreement to defend Belgian neutrality.

10. Not to mention the fact that most of the heads of state of Europe were related. Queen Victoria of England had 9 children Not to mention the fact that most of the heads of state of Europe were related. Queen Victoria of England had 9 children

11. Who married into almost every royal family in Europe. Who married into almost every royal family in Europe. Princess Victoria at the time of her wedding in 1858

12. Making the King of England, the Tsarina of Russia, and Kaiser Wilhelm all first cousins. Making the King of England, the Tsarina of Russia, and Kaiser Wilhelm all first cousins.

15. There were a number of 'minor' conflicts that helped to stir emotions in the years immediately preceding 1914. There were a number of 'minor' conflicts that helped to stir emotions in the years immediately preceding 1914.

16. The Russo-Japanese War in 1902 - the Japanese astonished the western powers by destroying the entire Russian fleet at the Battle of Tsushima. The Russo-Japanese War in 1902 - the Japanese astonished the western powers by destroying the entire Russian fleet at the Battle of Tsushima.

17. Germany took note of the fallacy of the myth of Russian "invincibility". Germany took note of the fallacy of the myth of Russian "invincibility".

18. A shaken Tsar, Nicholas II, was determined to restore Russian prestige and what better way to achieve this than through military conquest? A shaken Tsar, Nicholas II, was determined to restore Russian prestige and what better way to achieve this than through military conquest?

19. Strife in the Balkans was nothing new. In 1912 it continued with war between Italy and Turkey, over the latter's African possessions. Strife in the Balkans was nothing new. In 1912 it continued with war between Italy and Turkey, over the latter's African possessions.

20. Peter of Serbia Having concluded peace with the Italians, Turkey found itself engulfed in war with four small nations over the possession of Balkan territories: Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria - and later Montenegro. Having concluded peace with the Italians, Turkey found itself engulfed in war with four small nations over the possession of Balkan territories: Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria - and later Montenegro.

21. Later in the 1913, conflict erupted again in the Balkans, as Bulgaria, unsatisfied with its earlier spoils, fought with its recent allies in an attempt to control a greater part of Macedonia Later in the 1913, conflict erupted again in the Balkans, as Bulgaria, unsatisfied with its earlier spoils, fought with its recent allies in an attempt to control a greater part of Macedonia

22. Despite an end to the fighting in 1913, nothing had really been settled and tensions remained high. Despite an end to the fighting in 1913, nothing had really been settled and tensions remained high.

24. The numerous small nations that had found themselves under Turkish or Austro- Hungarian rule for many years stirred themselves in nationalistic fervor. The numerous small nations that had found themselves under Turkish or Austro- Hungarian rule for many years stirred themselves in nationalistic fervor.

25. By 1914, trouble was not restricted to the smaller nations. The Austro- Hungarian empire was affected by the Balkans and, under the ageing Emperor Franz Josef, was trying to control the opposed ethnic groups in the empire. By 1914, trouble was not restricted to the smaller nations. The Austro- Hungarian empire was affected by the Balkans and, under the ageing Emperor Franz Josef, was trying to control the opposed ethnic groups in the empire.

26. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian nationalist secret society, the Black Hand, provided the Austro-Hungarian government with the opportunity to stamp its authority over the region. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian nationalist secret society, the Black Hand, provided the Austro-Hungarian government with the opportunity to stamp its authority over the region.

27. Russia, ally of the Slavs - and therefore of Serbia - had been struggling to hold back full-scale revolution ever since the Japanese military disaster of 1905. Russia, ally of the Slavs - and therefore of Serbia - had been struggling to hold back full-scale revolution ever since the Japanese military disaster of 1905.

28. In 1914, the Tsar’s government saw war with Austria-Hungary as an opportunity to restore social order - which indeed it did, at least until the continuation of repeated Russian military setbacks, In 1914, the Tsar’s government saw war with Austria-Hungary as an opportunity to restore social order - which indeed it did, at least until the continuation of repeated Russian military setbacks,

29. Rasputin's intrigue at court Rasputin's intrigue at court

30. Rasputin There lived a certain man in Russia long ago He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow Most people looked at him with terror and with fear But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear He could preach the bible like a preacher Full of ecstacy and fire But he also was the kind of teacher Women would desire RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on There lived a certain man in Russia long ago He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow Most people looked at him with terror and with fear But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear He could preach the bible like a preacher Full of ecstacy and fire But he also was the kind of teacher Women would desire RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Czar But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar In all affairs of state he was the man to please But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze For the queen he was no wheeler dealer Though she'd heard the things he'd done She believed he was a holy healer Who would heal her son RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Czar But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar In all affairs of state he was the man to please But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze For the queen he was no wheeler dealer Though she'd heard the things he'd done She believed he was a holy healer Who would heal her son RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on

31. But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger for power became known to more and more people, the demands to do something about this outrageous man became louder and louder. "This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please" No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms Then one night some men of higher standing Set a trap, they're not to blame "Come to visit us" they kept demanding And he really came But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger for power became known to more and more people, the demands to do something about this outrageous man became louder and louder. "This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please" No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms Then one night some men of higher standing Set a trap, they're not to blame "Come to visit us" they kept demanding And he really came RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They put some poison into his wine RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine He drank it all and he said "I feel fine" RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They didn't quit, they wanted his head RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine And so they shot him till he was dead (Spoken:) Oh, those Russians... RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They put some poison into his wine RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine He drank it all and he said "I feel fine" RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They didn't quit, they wanted his head RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine And so they shot him till he was dead (Spoken:) Oh, those Russians...

32. and food shortages combined to bring about the long-threatened total revolution, which, encouraged by Germany, brought about Russia's withdrawal from the war in 1917. and food shortages combined to bring about the long-threatened total revolution, which, encouraged by Germany, brought about Russia's withdrawal from the war in 1917.

33. Following her defeat by Prussia in the Franco- Prussian War of 1870- 71, together with the annexation by Germany of French territories, Alsace and Lorraine, the French government and military alike were united in thirsting for revenge. Following her defeat by Prussia in the Franco- Prussian War of 1870- 71, together with the annexation by Germany of French territories, Alsace and Lorraine, the French government and military alike were united in thirsting for revenge.

34. Germany's military unsettlement arose as Kaiser Wilhelm II was finding himself largely frustrated in his desire to carve out a grand imperial role for Germany. Germany's military unsettlement arose as Kaiser Wilhelm II was finding himself largely frustrated in his desire to carve out a grand imperial role for Germany.

35. He found that most of the good areas had been already snapped up by the other colonial powers. He found that most of the good areas had been already snapped up by the other colonial powers.

36. Not that Wilhelm II was keen upon a grand war. Rather, he failed to foresee the consequences of his military posturing Not that Wilhelm II was keen upon a grand war. Rather, he failed to foresee the consequences of his military posturing

37. and his determination to construct both land and naval forces the equivalent - and better - than those of Britain and France. and his determination to construct both land and naval forces the equivalent - and better - than those of Britain and France.

38. What about the fact that Germany would have to fight a war on two fronts, if they fought France and her ally, Russia? What about the fact that Germany would have to fight a war on two fronts, if they fought France and her ally, Russia?

39. The Schlieffen Plan, had been crafted to deal with a two-front war scenario. The plan, which very nearly succeeded, was to conquer France, to knock her out of the war, on a 'Western Front', within five weeks - The Schlieffen Plan, had been crafted to deal with a two-front war scenario. The plan, which very nearly succeeded, was to conquer France, to knock her out of the war, on a 'Western Front', within five weeks -

40. before, the Germans calculated, Russia could effectively mobilize for war on the 'Eastern Front' (which they estimated would take six weeks). before, the Germans calculated, Russia could effectively mobilize for war on the 'Eastern Front' (which they estimated would take six weeks).

41. The German plan took no real account of Britain's entry into the war. The German plan took no real account of Britain's entry into the war.

42. The German government gave no credence to the possibility that Britain would uphold her ancient treaty to defend Belgian neutrality, instead of following her own self-interest and stay out of the fighting. The German government gave no credence to the possibility that Britain would uphold her ancient treaty to defend Belgian neutrality, instead of following her own self-interest and stay out of the fighting.

43. So, Austro-Hungarian determination to impose its will upon the Balkans; So, Austro-Hungarian determination to impose its will upon the Balkans;

44. a German desire for greater power and international influence, a German desire for greater power and international influence,

45. which sparked a naval arms race with Britain, who responded by building new and greater warships, the Dreadnought; which sparked a naval arms race with Britain, who responded by building new and greater warships, the Dreadnought;

46. a French desire for revenge against Germany following disastrous defeat in 1871; a French desire for revenge against Germany following disastrous defeat in 1871;

47. Russia's anxiety to restore some semblance of national prestige after almost a decade of civil strife and a battering at the hands of the Japanese military in 1905; Russia's anxiety to restore some semblance of national prestige after almost a decade of civil strife and a battering at the hands of the Japanese military in 1905;

48. these things were the causes of The Great War.