Download Causes of World War One

Causes of
World War
One
 The underlying causes of
World War I were:
 Militarism – many
countries were building
up their military and
getting ready for war.
 Alliances – countries
allied with one another
for protection and
markets.
 Imperialism – countries
wanted to expand and
conquer other countries
for land, resources, and
markets.
 Nationalism – strong
feeling towards one’s
country
Imperialism:
Nationalism:
The belief that national
interests & national unity
should be placed ahead of
global cooperation & that a
nation’s foreign affairs
should be guided by its own
self interest.
Imperialism caused
European nations to
compete with one another
due to industrialism & the
need for raw materials. All
of which created an
underlying tension in
Europe
Militarism: (The development of armed forces & their use as a tool
of diplomacy)
Because of nationalism & imperialism European nations began
building up their armed forces. Each nation wanted its armed forces
to be stronger than those of any potential enemy.
By 1890, Germany was the strongest nation in Europe. They set up an
army reserve system that drafted young men, trained them & then
returned them to civilian life until they were needed.
Alliance System:
Nationalism, Imperialism & Militarism
created mutual hostility, jealousy, fear
& desires between the nations of
Europe, which ultimately led to the
signing of treaties between these
various nations. These treaties
committed them to support one
another if they faced attack. There
were two major alliances: the Triple
Alliance and Triple Entente.
World War I
“The nations were caught
in a trap. . .there was no
looking back.”
General Joffre,
on the eve of the
Battle of the Marne,
August, 1914
What do you think
General Joffre meant
by this statement?
Record on Left Side of
your notes.
Catch Phrases To Help You Understand Each
Country’s Position:
Britain and France - Europe’s liberal powers
“What spoiled children we are”
Germany and Italy - The new nations
“We demand our place in the sun”
Austria and Russia - Dying dynasties
“Hard times make for hard lines”
Central Europe - The Balkan “tinderbox”
“We wanna be free!”
•Militarism
•Alliances
•Imperialism
•Nationalism
Long Term Causes
• Imperialism–European competition for colonies
–Quest for colonies often almost led
to war
–Imperialism led to rivalry and
mistrust amongst European nations
Imperialism-Definition
• In the 1800s, there was a race between
the European powers to seize as much of
Latin America, Africa, Asia, and in Eastern
Europe.
• The largest empire = greatest power and
wealth.
• England had the largest empire-”The sun
never sets on the British crown.”
Connection of Imperialism to Militarism
• The British at home had grown accustomed to British conquests
overseas.
• They were no more than dimly aware of the bloodshed and
violence these conquests required, having never come face to face
with the reality of war.
• The great increase of British exploits overseas was done by the
increase in elementary education and that most of the population
could read newspapers.
• A popular press soon grew up which had fanned the nation into
enthusiasm for the colonial conquests.
• Millions believed that rather than spreading exploitation or
destroying social organization, the conquests represented the
brining of civilization to an uncivilised world.
• It created national confidence and a sense of righteousness about
military power.
“A Song of the White Men”
• Now, this is the cup the White Men
drink
• When they go to right a wrong,
• And that is the cup of old world’s
hate• Cruel and strained and strong.
• We have drunk that cup-and a bitter,
bitter, cup• And tossed the dregs away.
• But well for the world when the
White Men drink
• To the dawn of the White Man’s day!
• Now, this is the road that the White
Men treat
• When they go to clean a land• Iron underfoot and levin overhead
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
And the deep on either hand.
We have trod that road-and a wet and windy
roadOur chosen star for guide.
Oh, well for the world when the White Men
tread
Their highway side by side!
Now, this is the faith that the White Men hold
When they build their homes afar‘Freedom for ourselves and freedom for our
sons
And, failing freedom, War.’
We have proved our faith-bear witness to our
faith,
Dear souls of freemen slain!
Oh, well for the world when the White Men
join
To prove their faith again!
• Between 1750 and
1900 Europe came to
dominate the world
economically,
socially and culturally
• The only major
exception was
Tokugawa Japan
• 1800: Britain ruled 20
million people
• 1900: Britain ruled
400 million people
Creation of the
British Empire
How Great Were They
Empires?
• Britain ruled 400 million outside its own
border by 1914.
• France ruled 50 million.
• Germany ruled 14 million
• Italy ruled 14 million
The Empire on which the Sun Never
Sets
Imperialism
• Aggressive nationalism was seen in the economic
competition and colonial conflicts the encouraged the
development of dangerous rivalries among the major
European powers.
• They were competing for foreign markets and engaged in
tariff wars.
• All the great powers were competing for colonies /
territory.
• The most serious rivalry was between the two industrial
powers of Britain and Germany.
• The British feared Germany in Africa.
• The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in the Balkans
Imperialism
• Italy & Germany (founded in 1870)
Late to industrialize and gain
colonies in Africa and Asia
• Serbia upset at Austria-Hungary
imperialism in Balkan region
• Ottomans upset at Russian
imperialism in Balkan region
• The Ottoman Empire one
of the world’s most
powerful states for 600
years
• Founded in 1402, it
reached its zenith under
Suleiman the
Magnificent
• Renowned for
achievements in
literature, arts, science,
law
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire Under Suleiman I 1580
© 2001 http://www.ottoman-traders.com
Istanbul
University of Michigan
www-personal.umich.edu/…/syl
End of the Ottoman Empire
• Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1918
– Russian expansion
– Internal reforms did take place
– Carved up by European powers, who took advantage of instabilities
Russian Cossacks Attack the Ottoman Turks
Simbattles.britwar.co.uk/Rus_Tur
Why Do You Need Colonies?
• Though Great Britain was an industrial and
military powerhouse,
• By 1900 Germany surpassed her growth a
• The United States by 1910 had surpassed
the industrial output of both Great Britain
and Germany and countries raced to
secure raw goods and materials
Why Do You Need Colonies?
• Colonies would provide for raw materials
such as: cotton, tea, silks, peanut and
palm oil (from West Africa) which were
used for lubricant in machinery
• Colonies also provided ready markets for
selling goods
Why Do you Need Colonies?
• Foreign Military Bases
• Colonies also serve as refueling stations
for cargo vessels.
• Governments can spread their cultural
influence abroad
Colonial Rivalries: Asia in 1914
The German Watch in Kiao-Chau
Another cartoon from the German
periodical Simplicissimus showing a
lone German knight standing firm
against monster-headed waves. The
image portrays the resolve of the
Germans to defend their stronghold
in China. It was published before the
fall of Tsingtao.
Going! Going! ——? The
Barbarian Finds His "Place in
the Sun" Too Hot for Him. From
The Tatler, London
A fat German "Barbarian" is
shown as retreating from his
colonies in China in the face of
the heat from the Rising Sun of
Japan. Contrast this portrayal of
the German as fat and cowardly
with the German cartoon
depicting a lone and brave
German knight defending the
German outpost in China
against overwhelming odds.
Colonialism
• Virtually all the major powers were engaged in a
scramble for empire to bolster their economies
• The fiercest competition was between Britain and
Germany and between France and Germany
Africa – Carved
up by the
Europeans
• Carved up in the 19th Century
by European colonies interested
in protecting themselves against rivals
• 1885-6 Berlin Agreement
– France: West Africa
– Britain: Southern and Eastern Africa, Gold Coast and
Nigeria
– Germany: Cameroons, South-West and East Africa
– Portugal: added Angola and Mozambique
– Belgium: Congo became the possession of the monarch of
Belgium
Europeans in
Africa
Belgian Congo
www.fdungan.com/darkn
Slaves March to the Coast
www.umich.edu/ece/student_projects/slavery
www.historywiz.com
Cecil Rhodes Astride
Africa – the Image of
British Imperialism
Colonial Disputes
•During the late 1800s, relations between Britain and France
were strained by a series of disputes over African colonies.
•Both nations hoped to control Egypt and Morocco and this
caused many bitter arguments.
•These were eventually settled in 1904 by the Entente
Cordiale.
•This “friendly understanding” said that Britain should
control Egypt and France should control Morocco.
•However, Germany strongly objected to this agreement…
Colonial Disputes (2)
•Kaiser Wilhelm II was jealous of the empires of both France
and Britain and tried to break up the “friendly
understanding” between them.
•On two occasions, in 1905 and 1911, German claims over
Morocco raised international tension.
•Indeed, the “Agadir Incident” of 1911 caused Britain to hint
that war might result if Germany continued her claims.
•This crisis passed, but these disputes simply made
international relations worse.
•The bad feeling they created (combined with other factors)
made the possibility of war more likely.
The Moroccan Crisis 1905-06
•On a visit to Morocco in 1905 the Kaiser (Germany)
promised to support Moroccan independence.
•This angered the French who wanted to have
Morocco as a colony.
•Wilhelm was also testing the new alliance between
France and Britain (1904).
•In a conference in 1906 Britain and Russia stood by
France and it was agreed that Germany should have
no say in Morocco.
•This strengthened the Anglo-French alliance and
also led to Britain’s agreement with Russia signed in
1907 and the Triple Entente.
•The Kaiser felt the Entente powers were encircling
(surrounding) Germany.
1
Germany test
Entente Cordial
(France & Britain)
The alliance holds
firm and leads to the
Triple Entente
Germany feel
threatened by the
Entente Powers
The Agadir Crisis 1911
•Morocco again, this time there had been a
rebellion against the Sultan which had been
put down with French help.
• This was a chance for France to take
Morocco.
•Germany responded by sending a gunboat,
the Panther, to Agadir, a port on the
Moroccan coast.
•The Kaiser hoped to force the French into
giving Germany a share of Morocco.
• Meantime, Britain was alarmed that
Germany was setting up a naval base in
Agadir that might threaten Britain’s naval
supremacy.
3
France claims
Morocco
Germany send a
gunboat
Britain alarmed by
German action
See the results of this crisis next
The Agadir Crisis 1911
•Germany’s action at Agadir confirmed Britain’s
worst fears: Germany was aiming to dominate
Europe.
• Britain responded by supporting France over
Morocco.
•They also signed a naval agreement whereby
Britain would defend the Northern coast of France if
attacked by sea.
•France took over Morocco as a Protectorate (they
governed it but it did not become part of the
republic).
•Germany was given land in the French Congo as
compensation but the land was mostly swamp and
jungle.
•Agadir was a victory for the Entente but the Kaiser
was determined not to lose again.
3
Anglo-French ties
strengthened
Germany’s anger
grows
Egypt's Future:
"John Bull, the last of
the Pharaohs, will be
embalmed in Egypt."
- Lustige Blaetter
(Berlin)
• This cartoon is
commenting on how
Britain obtained Egypt
and how it will be the
last colony obtained if
Germany, AustriaHungary, and the
Ottomans have a say.
German Foreign Policy According
to the British
When Britain first, at heaven’s command,
Arose from out the azure main,
Arose, arose, arose from out the azure main.
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang the strain.
Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
The nations not so blest as thee,
Must in their turn to tyrants fall,
Must in their turn, must in their turn,
To tyrants fall,
While thou shall flourish,
Shall flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.
Chorus.
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke.
More dreadful, more dreadful
From each foreign stroke.
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Chorus.
British Anthem
that reflects
Militarism,
Imperialism,
and
Nationalism
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke.
More dreadful, more dreadful
From each foreign stroke.
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Chorus.
Thee haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame,
All their attempts to bend thee down,
All their attempts, all their attempts
To bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame.
But work their woe and thy renown.
Chorus.
To thee belongs the rural reign,
Thy cities shall with commerce shine,
Thy cities shall, thy cities shall
With commerce shine.
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.
.
Chorus.
The muses still, with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair,
Shall to thy happy coast,
Thy happy coasts repair,
Best isle of beauty,
With matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
Chorus.
Won’t they be edified!”
World War I introduced the world to killing and destruction on a scale never seen
before. During the battle of the Somme, 19,000 men died on the first day alone. By the
end of the campaign the British had gained only 125 miles of territory at a terrible cost:
casualties on both sides exceeded one million. For many, the senseless slaughter
represented the worst expression of European imperialism, militarism, and nationalism.
A 1914 cartoon published in the Chicago Daily News uses racial chauvinism to condemn
the European war for undermining the moral supremacy of "Western Civilization."
On the Left Side of your notes,
working with your partner:
• Come up with a
strong political
cartoon caption for
this British cartoon on
Germany’s
Imperialism policies.
• Explain.
NATIONALISM
Long Term Causes
• Nationalism–Deep Devotion to One’s Nation
–Competition and Rivalry developed
between European nations for
territory and markets
• Example France and GermanyAlsace-Lorraine
Nationalism-Definition
• Nationalism/Patriotism: Complete
love and devotion towards one
country
• Belief your country is number one
• Nationalism/Assassination: For those
who are ruled by others, their
nationalistic goal is to gain
independence.
Nationalism
• The French Revolution had spread nationalism
throughout most of Europe
– The idea that people with the same ethnic
origins, language, and political ideals had the
right to form sovereign states through the
process of self-determination
• Nationalist aspirations of subject minorities
threatened to tear apart the multinational
empires of the Ottomans, Hapsburgs, and
Russians
– Such a development would affect the regional
balance of power
• Nationalism—devotion to interests, culture
of one’s nation
• Nationalism leads to competition,
antagonism between nations
• Many fear Germany’s growing power in
Europe
• Various ethnic groups resent domination,
want independence
• Russia sees self as protector of all Slavic
peoples
NEXT
Nationalism and Mistrust
• Germany and Italy were new nations in
1870; Great Britain feared Germany’s
new power
• France lost the Franco-Prussian
(Germany) War and wanted their land
back
• France also wanted Germany to stay out
of her affairs in North Africa (Morocco)
Nationalism-Propaganda
Nationalism-Propaganda
Aggressive Nationalism
Nationalism: Desire for SelfRule
• Nationalists in Arabic-speaking lands
sought independence from the Ottoman
Empire
• Nationalists in Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Estonia, and Poland called for separation
from the Russian Empire
Nationalism
• Ultra-nationalism - extreme pride
• Serbia’s reaction to AustriaHungarian imperialism = wanted
independence
• PANSLAVISM = Russia feels
nationalist connection to Serbia
(They are both Slavic ethnicity)
• French want Alsace-Lorraine back
from Germany
Pan-Slavism
• Desire of the Slavic people to free themselves
from the rule of the Austro-Hungarian and
Ottoman Empires
• This was like the Irish against England.
• Serbian nationalists became militant and
demanded unification with the small Kingdom of
Serbia
• Russians promoted Pan-Slavism in the Balkans
by encouraging fellow Slavic-speaking peoples
in their quest to throw off Austro-Hungarian rule
Nationalism: Second Form--Led to the Assassination
• This was an age when all nations
wanted to assert their power and
independence.
• In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and
Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian
rule.
Serbia’s
national
flag
Nationalism: Austria-Hungary
• Poles, Czechs,
Slovaks, Serbs,
Croats, and Slovenes
all had nationalist
aspirations,
especially the Serbs
• The Serbs were
strongly supported
by the Russians as
part of the pan-Slavic
movement
• The AustriaHungarians were
strongly supported
by the Germans
The Balkan
Peninsula
AKA
The Powder Keg
of Europe
Nationalism-Austrian-Hungarian
Empire
• Serbs wanted to
free Bosnia and
annex it to
Serbia to form a
Greater Serbia.
• Slavic
Connection
Pan-Slavism: The Balkans, 1914
The
“Powder Keg”
of Europe
Serbian Nationalism
• Austria-Hungary & Russia were competing
over the Balkan region in southeastern Europe
that had been under the control of the Ottoman
Empire.
• This developed into an intense rivalry.
• This Muslim rule had been resented by the
Slavic, Christian people of the Balkans.
• But also did not want to be ruled by AustriaHungary or Russia.
• The Balkan ethnicities wanted to be
independent. Greece, Serbia, Montenegro,
Romania, Bulgaria, & Albania all became free.
Issue of Bosnia-Herzegovina
• 1908: A-H annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina to
its empire.
• Bosnia was a mix of Slavic Muslims, Serbs,
& Croats.
• The Serb ethnic group wanted to be part of
greater Serbia and not A-H.
• Growing resentment and liberation groups
developed after this.---Black Hand (Some
say they were terrorist groups.)
A 1908 Political
cartoon from the
French Parisian Petit
Journal shows Franz
Josef grabbing
Bosnia -Herzogovina
and an independent
Bulgaria being torn
away from Turkey.
Turkey looks on
dismayed.
Parisian Petit
Journal
The Bosnian Crisis, 1908
MAIN STORY:
• In 1908, Austria fully annexed Bosnia (i.e. it became
part of the Austrian Empire).
• Serbia - which had been hoping to get part of Bosnia
(so it could have a port on the Adriatic Sea) protested.
• Serbia called up its army demanded a strip of land
across Bosnia to the Adriatic Sea.
• Serbia was supported by Russia, which proposed a
conference.
• Austria Hungary, Turkey and Germany said that a
Conference wasn't necessary.
• There was an international crisis.
The Bosnian Crisis, 1908
END:
• There was an international crisis Germany threatened war.
• Russia and Serbia were forced to back
down and humiliated.
• Serbia was forced to agree publicly to
Austria's annexation.
• The Kaiser boasted that he had stood
by Austria 'in shining armour'.
The Bosnian Crisis, 1908
RESULTS:
• There was more trouble in the Balkans
(Balkans War) in 1912-13.
• Serbia was furious (Bosnia included many
Serbs).
• This led to the assassination at Sarajevo,
1914.
• Russia vowed not to back down again – which
led to Nicholas's decision to mobilise in 1914.
• Kaiser Wilhelm was proud he had helped
Austria - so after Sarajevo he gave Austria a
'blank cheque‘ … which helped cause the slide
to war in 1914.
Many Europeans saw the potential danger in the explosive situation
between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The British ambassador to
Vienna, Austria, anticipated war in 1913 due to this hostility.
• “Serbia will some day set
Europe by the ears, and
bring about a universal war
on the Continent…I cannot
tell you how exasperated
people are getting here at
the continual worry which
that little country causes to
Austria under
encouragement from
Russia…It will be lucky if
Europe succeeds in avoiding
war as a result of the present
crisis.”
• Is the ambassador
neutral in his
comments, or does
he favor one country
over another? How
can you tell?
• Compare the ways in
which the actual
events that started
WWI mirror the
ambassador’s
concerns.
Assassination of the Archduke
• June 28, 1914: The A-H Archduke
Francis Ferdinand and his wife were on an
fourteenth wedding anniversary tour of
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.
• This day was also the anniversary of the
Serb’s greatest historical defeat by the
Ottoman Empire that put them under
Muslim rule for 500 years
• So the parade was like rubbing salt into
their old wounds and stirred up
nationalism.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand &
His Family
What happened on 28 June
1914?
On a bright summer’s day, 28 June 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand
and his wife Sophie, heirs to one of the wealthiest empires in Europe got
into their car and drove through the elegant streets of Sarajevo in Bosnia.
The couple were extremely happy that day – it was their wedding
anniversary.
The Sarajevo Crisis, 1914
MAIN STORY:
• Franz Ferdinand was heir to the throne of AustriaHungary.
• 28 June: Seven young Bosnian Serbs - linked to the
Black Hand - lined up to assassinate him as he drove
along the Appel Quay in Sarajevo.
• Nedeljko Cabrinovic threw a bomb.
• He missed and was arrested.
• The Archduke decided to return home immediately
via a different route.
• No one told the driver, so he turned into Franz Josef
Street, then stopped the car ... in front of Gavrilo
Princip, who shot Franz Ferdinand and Sophie.
Map showing the Archduke’s
journey through Sarajevo
Assassination Continued
• A secret Serbian nationalistic society,
the Black Hand, planned the
assassination of the Archduke.
• Seven young Serbs were hired to carry
out the plot.
• Of the seven, only Gavrilo Princip was
successful and hit the Archduke in the
neck and the Archduchess in the
stomach.
Nationalism-Assassination
• Assassination of
Archduke by
Serbian terrorist
group-the Black
Hand
The Assassin:
Gavrilo
Princip
The killer was a 19 year-old member of the BLACK
HAND. A secret society committed to ridding
Bosnia of Austrian rule & unite
all Serbs including those living in
Bosnia under one government
Gavrilo Princip
Princip's act gave Austria-Hungary
the excuse that it had sought for
opening hostilities against Serbia
and thus precipitated World War I.
Today's bridge in Sarajevo, nearby
the place where the actual
assassination took place, is named
after this hero.
The Assassination: Sarajevo
Both died within minutes from their wounds. Two bullets were
about to lead to the deaths of a further 20 million men!
Archduke’s bloodstained jacket
Gavrilo Princip, Serbian terrorist
The Sarajevo Crisis, 1914
END:
• The assassination caused horror, but
not at first an international crisis (the
Kaiser went on holiday).
• Austria provoked the international
crisis by sending Serbia an ultimatum
on 23 July 1914...
Effects of the Assassination
• July 23, 1914: A-H issued an ultimatum to
Serbia to be accepted within 48 hours. The A-H
government was very confident, because
Germany had given it a “blank check” of full
military and political support for any actions.
• Demand One: Suppression of all anti-Austrian
activity in Serbia
• Demand Two: Dismissal of all Serbian officials
the A-H objected to.
• Demand Three: Right for A-H officials to
investigate the complicity of the Serbian
government in the assassination.
Austrian Perspective on
Ultimatums
• “Demands
must
be put to Serbia
that would be
wholly
impossible for
them to accept
…”
Effects of Assassination
• Serbia only accepted two of the three
demands. Because it was not willing to
accept all three, because it would result in
them giving up their sovereignty.
• A-H declared war on Serbia on July 28,
1914.
• Russia then mobilized its forces to the
German and A-H borders.
• Germany declared war on Russia on
August 1 and on France on August 3.
• Germany then invaded Belgium on August
3, 1914. So Britain then declared war on
Germany and A-H.
Why did Britain get involved?
• Britain had Ententes
with France and
Russia.
• Only “friendly
agreements” but
French and Russians
given impression
Britain would fight.
• The Schlieffen Plan
Sir Edward Grey
British Foreign Secretary
… “There’s some devilry
going on in Berlin”
Britain’s Reaction
• 1838- UK had signed a
Treaty to protect Belgium.
• Britain also scared of
Germany controlling
Channel ports.
• Did not want Germany to
defeat France and
dominate Europe. Britain
next?
• UK issued ultimatum to
Germany to withdraw
troops from Belgium. War
declared August 4 1914
"N'Oublions Jamais"
"N'Oublions Jamais"
•This 1915 French poster
with its passionate headline-Never Forget!--dramatizes
Germany's brutal invasion of
Belgium in 1914.
• Neutral Belgium is
personified as a traumatized
mother, assaulted and
ravished by savage outlaws.
•The "rape of Belgium"
featured prominently, and
effectively, in anti-German
propaganda. (Mary Evans
Picture Library)
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
German Atrocities in Belgium
The Sarajevo Crisis, 1914
RESULTS:
• The Crisis caused a sequence
of events which resulted in the
First World War.
JUNE 1914
JULY 1914
AUGUST 1914
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
7
8
9
10
11
12
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
13
14
15
16
17
18
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
19
20
21
22
23
24
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
25
26
27
28
29
30
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
31
Britain
EUROPE
Germany Germany Declares Austria
IS
Declares invade
War on Declares
AT
Germany War on Belgium Germany War on
Russia
WAR
Austria
Declares France
Russia
get ready
Declares
War on
Schlieffen London
to help
Sarajevo War on
Plan
Treaty
Russia Schlieffen
Serbia
Plan
Serbia
28
28
29
1
3
3
4
6
June
July
July
August
August
August
August
August
Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia set off a chain
reaction within the alliance system. The countries of Europe followed
through on their numerous & complex pledges to support one another.
As a result, nearly all the nations of Europe soon were drawn into the war.
Triple Alliance/Central
Triple Entente/Allies
Powers
Austria-Hungary
Germany
As a result of Russia
mobilization to the
Russian-German border,
Germany declares war
on Russia on Aug. 1st.
Declares War
Russia (Serbia’s ally)
moves its army toward
the Russian- Austrian
border. Russia also
mobilized along the
German border
Russia looked to France for
help. 2 days later (Aug 3)
not waiting for France to
react, Germany declares
war on France
Serbia
Russia
France
Great Britain
Britain who is linked to France, declares war on Germany & Austria-Hungary on Aug 4th
after Germany invades Belgium (a neutral country) to get to France.
Why go to War?
On the Left Side of your notes, explain why each country
would go to war:
•Serbia
•Russia
•France
•England
•Italy
•Ottoman Empire
•Austria-Hungary
•Germany
Use resources from the Powerpoint Lecture, the
Supplemental Reading, and Textbook
The Great Powers of Europe
Russia
•This was the largest of the six main powers.
However, despite its size it was very backward, the
people were poor and industry was slow to develop.
•Russia had a long rivalry with Austria-Hungary and
supported the Slavic peoples including the Serbs
living in the area.
•Russia was also concerned like France about
Germany.
•They feared that The Kaiser aimed to build a large
Empire in Central Europe.
•Russia had lost a war to Japan in 1904 and began to
build up a large army in case of any future conflicts
Main Points
Largest power
Backward industry
Poor
Supported Serbia
Fear over Germany
strong army needed
The Great Powers of Europe
France
•The French could not forgive the Germans
for taking Alsace-Lorraine in 1871 and were
looking for an opportunity to take revenge.
• They were building up their industry and
were looking to build alliances with other
European countries since the end of the
Franco-Prussian War.
•France also had a large overseas Empire and
felt threatened by the ambitions of the
Kaiser (Germany).
•They needed a strong army.
Main Points
Franco-Prussian War
Alsace-Lorraine
Wanted revenge
Empire threatened
Sought alliances
strong army needed
The Great Powers of Europe
Britain
•In the
Century, Britain had developed a huge
overseas Empire and tried to keep itself out of
European politics known as ‘splendid isolation’.
• Britain had a strong navy and needed to maintain it
to protect the Empire across the world.
• France and Russia had previously been Britain’s
biggest rivals.
•However, by the start of the 20th Century Britain
felt threatened by Germany’s growing power and
open desire for an Empire.
•Russia had lost a war against Japan in 1904 and
agreements had been reached with France over
territory in North Africa.
•They were no longer such concerns.
19th
Main Points
Overseas Empire
‘Splendid Isolation’
Strong Navy needed
Germany threatens
New enemy
Click here to see a
map of Britain’s
overseas Empire in
1914
The Great Powers of Europe
Italy
•Like Germany, Italy had been formed by a
collection of smaller states.
•Like other European powers, Italy wanted to
build an overseas Empire and looked to
alliances with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
•However, Italy and Austria-Hungary were in
dispute over land on the border between
them.
•This led to a conflict of interests.
•Italy had developed into a strong industrial
and military power.
Main Points
Wanted an Empire
Friend of Germany
Relations with
Austria
Disputes with
Austria
Strong industry
Strong military
The Great Powers of Europe
Germany
•In 1871, the Prussian state defeated France in the
Franco-Prussian War.
• After this, all the German states joined together
and formed the German Empire.
•Germany took the territory of Alsace-Lorraine from
the French who had to sign a humiliating defeat.
•By 1900, Germany was seriously challenging Britain
in terms of industrial production.
•They wanted an Empire of their own and felt they
needed a strong army to defend their territory
especially if the French decided to try and take back
Alsace-Lorraine.
•Wilhelm II, the Kaiser (like a king) of Germany,
intended to build a strong navy to realise Germany’s
Imperial ambitions.
Main Points
Franco-Prussian War
Alsace-Lorraine
Industry
French concern
Strong army needed
Empire wanted
Strong navy needed
The Great Powers of Europe
Austria-Hungary
•This was a large Empire made up of many
nationalities, including Czechs, Poles, Germans,
Hungarians and Serbs.
•The main problem was trying to keep all these
different groups together as one country.
•Austria was very worried about the increasing
strength of Serbia which had become rather
powerful in the Balkan area.
•They feared that the Serbs living in Austria-Hungary
would want to join with Serbia.
•Russia was a close ally of Serbia and their strong
army was a great concern for Austria-Hungary.
Main Points
Different peoples
Unity issues
Threat from Serbia
Serb nationals
Threat from Russia
The Great Powers of Europe
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Won FrancoPrussian
War
Collection of different
nationalities
Strong
industry
Feared
French
attack
Wanted an
overseas
Empire to
rival Britain
Developing
a strong
Navy and
Army
Internal problems
Feared strength of
Serbia
Worried that Serbians
living in AustriaHungary want to join
with Serbia
Concern over Russia’s
close relations with
Serbia
Summary
Italy
Britain
France
Russia
Wanted
an Empire
overseas
Largest
overseas
Empire
Largest
power in
Europe
Allied to
Germany
and
AustriaHungary
Largest
Navy
Lost
FrancoPrussian
War
Disputes
with
Austria
Strong
industry
Strong
military
Isolated
from
politics
Feared
German
imperial
ambition
Needed
to keep a
strong
navy
Wanted
revenge
Wanted
alliances
Overseas
Empire
threat
from
Germany
Needs a
strong
army
Poor
industry
Support
for
Serbia
against
Austria
Feared
Germany
Building
up
strong
army
After looking at each country’s
reasons for going to war….
Who is to blame for WWI?
Who’s To Blame?
Guglielmo (bearing the European war): "Heavens! It's beginning to get heavy
• Who does the
cartoonist blame
for World War
One?
• How can you tell?
Explain.
At the end of your Interactive
Notes:
• Based upon your readings and
this Powerpoint Presentation,
write about what country or
countries you believe hold the
primary responsibility for World
War One and explain why with
historical evidence
War is Impossible
"Nothing could have been
more obvious to the people
of the early twentieth
century than the rapidity
with which war was
becoming impossible. And
as certainly they did not see
it. They did not see it until
the atomic bombs burst in
their fumbling hands."
H G Wells, The World Set Free,
1914
• Do you agree with
this statement?
• If countries are on a
path towards war, is
there a point when
there is no turning
back?
• Why or why not?
Explain.
• Do on Left Side.
First World War.com: http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwone/