world history - wwi causes
TRANSCRIPT
The Great War Begins
What Would You Do?
One day after school you see two groups of schoolmates involved in
a fight. Both sides yell to you to join in and
help their side. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of remaining neutral and staying out of the fight?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting involved?
If you do get involved how do you decide what group to join?
Alliances in Europe
Great Powers in Europe Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy,
Britain, France and Russia Start to distrust each other Group together/form treaties to
protect each other
Alliances were intended to keep peace so that no one would dare attack the other but the opposite happened
Map of Europe
Alliances
Triple Alliance Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary Later they become known as the
Central Powers
Triple Entente France, Britain and Russia Later they would become known as the
Allies
What two large alliances formed
before the beginning of World War I?
What were each called during the
war?
Underlying Causes of WWI
Nationalism
Imperialism
Militarism/Competition
System of Alliances
Nationalism European powers were jealous of
each other and guarded their status (rank, prestige)
Especially strong in Germany and France
Russia Sponsored a plan called pan-Slavism
which said all Slavic people shared a common nationality.
Russia was the largest Slavic community and so they felt obligated to protect all Slavs
In 1914 when they defend Serbia war will erupt!!
Imperialism
Overseas rivalries divided European nations
Competition for colonies almost brought France and Germany to war over Morocco
Britain and France also kept up with the competition and got colonies in Africa and Asia
To protect their empires they had to build up their militaries…
Militarism/Competition Militarism
Glorification of the military and led to arms race
Germany was growing into an economic and military powerhouse
Britain felt threatened by this growth
With tensions on the rise great powers began to build up their armies and navies Worst rivalry was between Britain and
Germany
System of Alliances
All these mutual hostilities, jealousies, fears and desires led Europe to sign treaties of assistance that committed them to support one another
If one country was attacked the other had to protect that country and help them fight
What were the underlying causes that led to WWI?
Assassination Sparks War!! A conflict between Austria-Hungary
and Serbia would soon erupt in war Crisis begins when Archduke Francis
Ferdinand announced he would visit the capital of Bosnia. At the time Bosnia was under the control of Austria-Hungary but it was also home to many Serbs
News of this visit angered many Serbian nationalists
Assassination Sparks War!! Members of a Serbian terrorist group
known as the Black Hand fired on both the Archduke and his wife Sophia who died on the spot
Austria Strikes Back Hungary wanted to maintain peace but
Austria was adamant about going to war. Germany tell Austria that they will back
them 100% no matter the cost Austria send Serbia an ultimatum – to
avoid war Serbia must end all anti-Austrian aggression and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder plot and would allow Austria to join the investigation
Their refusal to meet all the demands allowed Austria on July 28, 1914 to declare war on Serbia
Alliances Kick In
The war between Serbia and Austria might have been just a small war but because of the system of alliances drew the great powers deeper into conflict
Russia and France back Serbia Russia ask France to join their side and
they do so When Germany demands that France
stay out but they refused and Germany declare war on France
Alliances Kick In
Italy and Britain remain neutral (take neither side) initially
General Alfred von Schlieffen developed Germany’s military policy
Germany’s location presented the possibility of a two-front war with France in the West and Russia in the East
Schlieffen Plan was designed to avoid this problem
Alliances Kick In
Schleiffen said Germany should attack France first because it would take Russia’s military would be slow to get going
But the plan required going through Belgium so Germany attack them too
This act outrages Britain and they join forces with France
How did the alliance system deepen the
original conflict between Austria-
Hungary and Serbia into a general war?
Reaction to War
Governments on both sides emphasized that their countries were fighting for justice and a better world
Young men rushed to enlist, cheered on by their women and elders
Now that war had come it seemed like an exciting adventure