Section 1World War IClick the icon to play Listen to History audio.

Click the icon below to connect to the Interactive Maps.

Section 1World War I

Main IdeaEurope in 1914 was on the brink of war. After an assassination, the nations of Europe were drawn one by one into what would be

called the Great War, or World War I.

The Great War Begins

Section 1World War I

Europe on the Brink of War

Rising tensions in Europe, 1914

• Tensions result of four factors

– Militarism– Alliances– Imperialism– Nationalism

Section 1World War I

• Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces

• Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

• Great Britain joined France, Russia in Triple Entente

• Believed no one nation would attack another, because allies would join fight

Alliances

• Massive military buildup in European countries, late 1800s and early 1900s

• Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations

• Growing power of armed forces left all sides ready to act at first sign of trouble

• Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict

MilitarismEurope on the Brink of War

Section 1World War I

• Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture, increased in late 1800s

• Led to formation of new countries, struggles for power

• Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe

• Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman Empire

Nationalism

• Late 1800s and early 1900s saw quest to build empires

• Created rivalry, ill will among European nations

• Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations

• Each did not want others to gain power

ImperialismEurope on the Brink of War

Section 1World War IEurope on the Brink of War

Some of strongest nationalist tensions in Balkans in Serbia, independent nation

• Serbian leaders wanted to expand borders, unite people in “greater Serbia”

• Austria-Hungary, powerful empire to north, opposed expansion

• Feared growth might encourage ethnic groups there to rebel

• Tensions continued to rise in early 1900s

Section 1World War I

In the midst of the tensions with Serbia, archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary decided to visit the Bosnian city of Sarajevo.

• Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated archduke, wife

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

• Russia prepared to support Serbia

• Austria-Hungary ally Germany saw Russia as threat

• Germany declared war on Russia, ally France

The Impact

• Germany faced war on two fronts: Russia to east, France to west

• Decided to strike France quickly then move to Russia

• Began with quick strike into neutral Belgium

• Attack on neutral country led Great Britain to declare war on Germany

Fighting Begins

War Breaks Out

Section 1World War I

War Breaks Out

Main players in World War I in place

• Central Powers– Germany– Austria-Hungary

• Allied Powers– Great Britain– France– Russia– Serbia

Section 1World War I

Germany’s plan• Germany wanted to quickly defeat France, move east to fight Russia• Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany doomed its plan• The Great War became bloody stalemate

Russia enters fighting• Russia attacked German territory from the east• Russians defeated in Battle of Tannenberg• Germany distracted from France, Allies turned on German invaders

Early battles• Battle of the Frontiers pitted German troops against both French and British• Both sides suffered heavy losses • Germany victorious

Fighting in 1914

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Fighting in 1914

Trench warfare begins • Allied troops drove Germans back, Battle of the Marne,

September 1914• Retreating Germans dug series of trenches along Aisne

River– Waited in trenches for Allied attack– Trenches elaborately constructed, cleverly concealed

• Allies dug trenches of their own– Major battles for months with little change in positions– Deadlocked region became known as Western Front

Section 1World War I