World War I

A World Divided

Causes

Imperialism Nationalism Militarism Alliances

Imperialism

Imperialism: When a powerful nation extends and

maintains its control over weaker nations or people

European imperial powers were in competition for Africa and Asia

A ticking time bomb for war

Nationalism

Nationalism: A strong feeling of

pride in one’s own nation

Created national unity but fueled international rivalry

Militarism Militarism:

The belief in threatening or using military force to solve a problem

“a self-reinforcing cycle of heightened military preparedness”

Between 1908 and 1913, the six “Great Powers” increased military spending by 50% Britain, Germany,

France, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia

Alliances Two armed alliances

The Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary,

Italy

The Triple Entente France, Russia, Great Britain

*Russia pledged to defend Serbia

Austria-Hungary and Russia were rivals in the Balkans

Germany had become the rival of Great Britain and France in Africa

Region containing Bulgaria and Serbia

Messy Allegiances

Messy Allegiances

The Balkans

Messy AllegiancesT

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Messy Allegiances

Messy Allegiances

“Europe today is like a powder keg and the leaders are like men smoking in an arsenal. A single spark will set off an explosion that will consume us all.”

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

War Breaks Out!

June 28, 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the city of Sarajevo Ferdinand = the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne

(next in line be ruler) Killer = A Serbian nationalist seeking independence

for his people Part of the “Black Hand” Wanted Serbian

independence Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Remember Russia pledged to defend Serbia… uh oh…

Due to overlapping alliances, much of the world was at war within weeks

War Breaks Out!

War Breaks Out!

Gavrilo PrinzipFerdinand’s killer

War Breaks Out!

This is where things get really confusing… A war between Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary and SerbiaSerbia

meant a war between Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary and RussiaRussia, SerbiaSerbia's traditional ally. That meant war between RussiaRussia and GermanyGermany, Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary’s ally. And that meant war between GermanyGermany and FranceFrance, RussiaRussia’s ally. And that meant war between GermanyGermany and Great BritainGreat Britain, BelgiumBelgium’s protector because Germany Germany invaded France France through BelgiumBelgium.

Confused yet?

But Wait… There’s more…?

Italy refused to join Germany and Austria-Hungary and left the Triple Alliance. Instead, The Ottoman Empire joined to form The Central Powers Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany, and

The Ottoman Empire Allied Powers (formerly the Triple Entente):

France, Great Britain, and Russia

Italy decided to wait until there was a clear winner before picking sides. They eventually sided with the Allied Powers, fighting against their former alliance.

War Breaks Out!