World War I

1914-1918

The Great War

Rise of Nationalism – One’s deep devotion to one’s nation.

Rise of Imperialism, many nations competing for colonies in Asia and Africa.

Can create intense competition between nations, with each seeking to overpower the other.

Europe’s Great Powers during this time are Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great

Britain, Russia, Italy, and France.

Brewing a War

Nationalistic rivalries also grew out of territorial disputes.

France lost territory to Germany during the Franco-Prussian War (1870)

Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the Balkans, an area of intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians and others who wanted their independence.

German Chancellor

Led the nation to a victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870

Germany won French territory, which increased tensions between the two nations.

Otto Von Bismarck

Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat to peace after the war he wanted to isolate France.

As long as France had no allies, they were no danger to Germany.

In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary. Three years later, Italy joined thus creating the Triple Alliance and also a separate pact with Russia.

Emperor of Germany in 1888

Forced Bismarck to resign because he did not want to share his power with anyone.

Wilhelm II lets Germany’s treaty with Russia lapse and Russia forms an alliance with France.

Kasier Wilhelm II

Bismarck's fear of France gaining an ally had come true.

War with France and Russia would force Germany to a two-front war on both the eastern and western borders.

Kaiser was jealous of the naval power Great Britain and started a tremendous shipbuilding program to make Germany’s navy equal to Britain's. This only pushed Britain to build an even larger navy.

1904, Britain formed an alliance, also called an Entente, with France and Russia. This did not bind Britain to fight with France or Russia, but ensured that they would not fight against each other.

Triple Entente

History of nationalist uprisings and ethnic clashes, the Balkans were known as the “powder keg” of Europe.

Decline of the Ottoman Empire in the region.

Many Balkan groups were breaking away from the Turkish rulers.

New nations formed, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia

Crisis in the Balkans

Nationalism was a powerful force in these countries with each group wanting to expand their borders.

Serbia was big on nationalism. Russia supported the Slavic nation

Austria feared an uprising from its small Serb population.

In 1908, Austria “annexed” Bosnia-Herzegovina

June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie were shot and killed in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip.

19 year old member of the Black Hand.

Black Hand was a secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrian rule.

The Shot that rings through Europe

Should you always support a friend, no matter what he or she does?

What might be the risks of refusing to help an ally?

What might be the consequences of a war involving all of Europe?

Questions