Causes and Effects of World War One Causes

Causes and Effects of World War One

Causes LONG TERM Nationalism Imperialism Militarism Alliance System IMMEDIATE Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Nationalism-Every country thought they were better than the others. It led to rivalry and competition.

• Imperialism-Fighting over colonies in Asia and Africa almost led to war many times. This led to rivalry and mistrust.

• Militarism-Many nations hyped up military power and built huge armies.

• Alliances-Most European nations had pacts with other countries. They promised to go to war if their friends were attacked.

• The four long-term causes had been going on for years. It was like a powder-keg. All Europe needed was one little spark to set everything off.

Crises in the Balkans • There was unrest in the Balkan Peninsula. Some countries were in favor of creating a Slavic nation. Others were opposed to it. Tempers were high.

“Powder Keg of Europe” • The Balkan region became known as the “Powder Keg of Europe. ” Tempers were already running hot due to the long term causes, and everyone knew that if war broke out, it would likely start in the Balkans. It was like a keg of gun powder, ready to explode!!! Nationalism caused a lot of fighting and rivalry there.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary ended up being assassinated by a Serbian. Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia was allied with Serbia, so Russia declared war on Austria.

• Germany was allied with Austria, so they declared war on Serbia and Russia. France and Great Britain were allied with Russia, so they declared war on Germany and Austria. Hungary.

• • Central Powers Austria-Hungary Germany Ottoman Empire Allies* Russia England France United States (1917) *Allies won the war • There were many more countries who joined in, but these were the most powerful.

• Before WWI, no other war had mobilized so many countries, or used so many soldiers. It was the second bloodiest war up to that time.

Effects • 1. An entire generation of Europeans is killed or wounded by the war.

2. Europe changes its borders • Some countries fall (they lose large amounts of land in the peace settlement or are split up). • New countries are created

3. The League of Nations is formed (a peacekeeping organization like the modern-day U. N. )

• 4. Many nations are bitter and feel betrayed by the peace treaty • 5. The forces that helped to cause WWI are still going on (Nationalism, competition amongst countries).

• 6. The TREATY OF VERSAILLES is signed. The Treaty of Versailles is the peace agreement that officially ended WWI.

Treaty of Versailles • Left many countries unhappy • Led to WWII 1. Germany lost a lot of its land 2. Germany had to pay $33 Billion to the Allies 3. Germany had their military taken away 4. Germany ALONE was blamed (guilty) for the war