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Introduction to
World War I
The Causes of the
“War to End All Wars”
The Causes of World War I are
very complicated
Imperialism
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Militarism
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Nationalism

Alliances
Take a minute and see what your book says each one of
these means
IMPERIALISM

Imperialism-European
countries competed for
overseas colonies in
Africa and Asia during
the late 1800’s and
early 1900’s
MILITARISM

Militarism- Belief
in and the
popularity of the
military was at a
very high point.
The glory of war
and the power of a
country were
emphasized
NATIONALISM

Nationalism- Extreme
patriotism to your country.
To the point were you
believe that your country
is so good that it cannot
be wrong, and that all
other countries are inferior
ALLIANCES

Alliances- Before
WWI the countries
of Europe had
formed complex
secret alliances
with each other.
The Balkans…a “Powder Keg”
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Ottoman Empire is falling apart
Ethnic groups all want their own
countries
1908 Austria-Hungary annexes
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Serbia is outraged
Bosnia and Herzegovina are
ethnic Slavs
All is needed is a spark to set
things off
The Alliance System Pulls
Europe Into War
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The three “isms” and the alliance system exist in Europe,
creating a very tense situation….especially in the Balkans
(Powder Keg)
Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria Hungary is
visiting Bosnia
Shot to death, by Gavrilo Princip, A Serbian (Spark)
July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Russia is Serbia’s ally, so they start sending troops to their
borders with Austria-Hungary and their ally Germany
Germany sees this as an act of war and declares war on Russia
France is Russia’s ally, so Germany declares war on France
Germany attacks France through Belgium which pulls England
into World War I
TAKING SIDES
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ALLIED POWERS
(Triple Entente)
Great Britain
France
Russia
Serbia
Italy
United States (later)
CENTRAL POWERS
(Triple Alliance)
 Germany
 Austria-Hungary
 Bulgaria
 Ottoman Empire
American Neutrality

U.S. didn’t want to get involved

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“Its Europe’s Problem!”
Good for the Economy

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Business could sell supplies to both
sides
Banks could loan money to both
sides
1/3 of Americans are immigrants,
or children of immigrants

Support for both sides of the war
United States’ Entry in WWI
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Germany used U-Boats to attack
cargo ships in the Atlantic
(Unrestricted Submarine
Warfare)
They hoped to cut off supplies to
the Allies in Europe
Germany began firing on
passenger and neutral ships
without warning (Sussex Pledge)
Germany sinks the Lusitania
(5/7/1915)