MAIN CAUSES OF WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

MAIN CAUSES OF WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

MAIN CAUSES: MILITARISM Militarism • the build up of military strength; belief in a strong armed forces • Arms Race • New weapons capable of killing on a large scale • Flamethrowers, grenades, tanks, machine guns, mortars • Germany and Britain both expanded their navies • France, Britain, Russia, Germany, Italy, Austria…all competed to build the biggest, most advanced military • DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why would an increase in the military size and strength of the most powerful countries increase the chance of a large scale war?

MAIN CAUSES: ALLIANCES Alliances • a pact or friendship between two or more groups (in our case countries) • Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia • Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary • If one country is attacked, the other countries agree to back them up • DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why would alliances that are created between the countries increase the chances of a World War to break out?

MAIN CAUSES: IMPERIALISM Imperialism • expanding the power of one’s country by acquiring new territories, often by force • European countries controlled undeveloped lands for cultural (religion, language) and economic (resources) power • Britain, France and Belgium had already established empires in Africa and Asia • Germany started late and was competing for limited countries to colonize • DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why do you think imperialism led to increased tension between the major European nations

MAIN CAUSES: NATIONALISM Nationalism • the love of one’s country, strong patriotic beliefs • People with similar language, history and culture came together to form strong empires • People believed that loyalty to their nation was the most important thing • Nationalism was strengthened through militarism (people proud of their strong military) and imperialism (build of a nation’s empire) • People willing and excited to fight and die for their country • DISCUSSION QUESTION: Explain how having strong patriotic beliefs can lead to an increased chance of war?