Download TSU-The Causes of WWI

Professor G.A. Hawkins
U.S. History
Causes of World War I
• Objectives
1. List and discuss the
long-term causes of
WWI
2. Examine and analyze
the short-term causes
of WWI
3. Detail reasons for U.S.
Involvement
•After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71),
Europe and the United States experienced a
period of relative peace.
•There was rapid industrial and commercial
progress. The western powers expanded trade
and colonies.
•However, national rivalries gradually grew and
alliance camps emerged. Economic
competition and arms race also became
intense.
• Finally war broke out in 1914, a war which
was unexpectedly disastrous and destructive in
scale.
• First let us examine the long term causes: the
formation of alliance systems, nationalism,
imperialism and militarism
Introduction
DEFINITIONS
• Alliances:
• Definition: An agreement
between two or more countries
to work together for the benefit
of each country.
• Nationalism:
• Definition: Extreme pride in one’s
nations or state. Often seen by
the use of flags, national
anthems, and other signature
items
• Imperialism:
• Definition: Domination by one
country over another in terms of
the political, economic, or
cultural life of the dominated
country or region.
• Militarism:
• Definition: The glorification of
one’s military. Also the belief of a
nation or its people to build and
maintain a strong military, with
the intention to use it whenever
it is felt necessary.
MAP OF ALLIANCES
Short-Term Causes
Immediate Cause: Assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Thus, if one country was attacked,
allied countries were bound to
defend them.
Before World War 1, the following
alliances existed: Russia and Serbia
1.
This assassination led to AustriaHungary declaring war on Serbia.

2.
Then Russia began to mobilize due
to its alliance with Serbia
•
Germany and Austria-Hungary
3.
Germany declared war on Russia.
•
France and Russia
4.
Thus began the expansion of the
war to include all those involved in
the mutual defense alliances.
•
Britain and France and Belgium
•
Japan and Britain
Why Did The
U.S. Involved?
1.
Violations of the
Sussex Pledge
2.
The Sinking of the
Lusitania
3.
Interception of the
Zimmerman Note
• Germany had agreed to
halt unrestricted
submarine warfare.
• 128 American passengers
killed onboard ship.
• Extended spoils of a victory
to Mexico for an alliance.
Do you know the causes of WWI?
Long-term Causes
1. Alliance systems
2. Nationalism
3. Imperialism
4. Militarism
Short-Term Causes
1. Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand.
2. Russia mobilizes for
war to aid Serbia due
to its alliance.
3. Germany Invades
Belgium.
What led to the United States
Involvement in WWI?
• Germany violates the Sussex Pledge.
• The sinking of the Passenger ship Lusitania.
• Interception and translation of the
Zimmerman note.