Unit VI. The Great War

A. Causes of the Great war

A. Causes of the Great War (MAIN)1. Militarism

a. The glorification of military power; arose in many nations in Europe during the late 1800’s

*Led to fear and suspicion as nations became more willing to use military force to attain national goals

*An arms race ensued, in which great powers competed with each other to expand their armies and navies

-one of the fiercest rivalries was between Britain and Germany

2. Alliance Systemsa. Increased tensions and suspicions led nations to form alliances

*Nations agreed to defend each other in case of an attack*By 1914 several alliances had already been formed, two which would

prove to be rather important-Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy-Triple Entente: France, Great Britain, and Russia

Alliance Systems during WWI

A. Causes of the Great War (cont’d)3. Imperialism

a. Imperialistic nations competed for colonies and economic supremacy*France and Germany competed especially for colonial gains in Africa*Great Britain and Germany competed industrially

-Germany had industrialized rapidly, and the British felt threatened

-Because of their mutual competition with Germany, Great Britain, and France began to form close ties with each other

4. Nationalisma. Germany and France

*Nationalism was strong in both countries, especially after the 19th century revolutions

-unified Germany was proud of its growing military and industrial strength

-France wanted to regain the position as a leading European power

*France had lost the Franco-Prussian War in 1791, so tension btw the two nations increased

-many French wanted revenge on Germanyb. Pan-Slavism

*The movement tried to unify all Slavic people under Russian protection-resulted in Russia coming to the aid of many smaller eastern

European nations, especially in the Balkans, which were controlled by the Austria- Hungarian empire