The MAIN Causes of WW 1 Militarism Alliances

The “MAIN” Causes of WW 1 • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism

Militarism 1. • Germany was competing with Britain to build battleships. • The British feared an attack on their Empire

Militarism 2. • Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies

Imperialism • All the great powers were competing for colonies / territory. • The British feared Germany in Africa. • The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in the Balkans

Nationalism • This was an age when all nations wanted to establish their power and independence. • Example: In the Balkans, Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule. Serbia’s national flag

Alliances 1. • By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances.

Alliances 2. • Definition – an agreement between countries to work together. • The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. • Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread.

Alliances 3.

Alliances 4. • Triple Alliance - 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy • Triple Entente - 1907 between France, Russia, and Britain

Alliances 5. • Russia and Serbia - Both of them were Slavic peoples. Due to nationalism they stick together. • Britain and Belgium - 1839 Britain will protect Belgium if it is ever attacked. Because this threatens Britain’s safety

Belgium is too close!

Germany’s War Plan 1. feared an • Germany attack on two fronts

Germany’s War Plan 2.

Germany’s War Plan 3. • War plan for the Germans was called the Schlieffen War Plan • Assumed that Russia would take 6 weeks to get ready for war. • For those 6 weeks focus all Germany’s army on destroying France • Enter in through Belgium

Germany’s War Plan 4.

The Balloon Pops! 1. • June 28 1914: Serb student Gavrilo Princip shoots Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand his wife • July 28 1914: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

The Balloon Pops! 2. • July 29 1914: Due to its Alliance, Russia declares war on Austria • August 1 1914: Due to its Alliance, Germany declares war on Russia

The Balloon Pops! 3. • August 3 1914: Due to its war plan, Germany declares war on France • August 4 1914: Following the Schlieffen Plan Germany invades Belgium

The Balloon Pops! 6. • August 4 1914: Due to its Alliance, Britain declares war on Germany • August 6 1914: Due to its Alliance, Austria declared war on Russia

The Balloon Pops! 6. • August 12 1914: Due to their Alliance, France and Britain declare war on Austria. • May 1915 Italy enters the war on the Entente side.

Central Powers vs. The Allies

WWI HAS BEGUN! The Balloon Popped! • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism

Central Powers vs. The Allies

Serbia Wants Bosnia which is controlled by Austria

Background Info • Bosnia is controlled by Austria. Hungary • Serbia, feels they should control Bosnia since they are of the same ethnic group. • June 28 is Serbia’s independence day.

Gavrilo Princip

Archduke and his wife arriving in Sarajevo

Parade Route of Death!

Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Ferdinand out for a walk that day

Leaving City Hall

WRONG WAY!

Princip being taken into custody

Princip being taken into custody

The Car

The Jacket that Ferdinand was wearing

WHO/WHAT • Gavrilo Princip ( a member of the terrorist association “Black Hand” assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand Sophie Ferdinand

WHEN • June 28, 1914

WHERE • Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia

WHY • Serbia’s “Black Hand”, was angry that Austrian Archduke Ferdinand visited the capital city (Sarajevo) of the country Serbia felt should be theirs.

Result • This assassination was the event the tiny event that popped the pressure filled balloon that was Europe. • This assassination started WWI.

FRANCE • I have a long border with Germany on the eastern side of my country. This makes me vulnerable to attack. Which country am I?

RUSSIA • I have a border with Germany and Austria-Hungary. I am worried I will have to fight them both. Which country am I?

Britain • I don't trust Germany. It is trying to get an empire overseas and trying to compete with my navy. Which country am I?

GERMANY • I am worried about having to fight a two front war. Which country am I?

Austria-Hungary • I don’t like the Serbians; I want to rule them. Which country am I?

Austria-Hungary • I am threatened by Nationalism. So threatened, that it actually split me into two separate countries. Which country am I?

GERMANY • I developed the Schlieffen Plan. Which country am I?

BRITAIN • I promised to defend Belgium if it ever got attacked. Which country am I?

RUSSIA • I want to protect Serbia from Austria-Hungary because I am made up of Slavs just like them. Which country am I?

FRANCE • Germany attacked me once in the Franco-Prussian War. It was a humiliating defeat and I want revenge. Which country am I?

Austria-Hungary • I am closely allied with Germany because we are both Germanic peoples. Which Country am I?

Germany • I have very close ties to Austria -Hungary because we are both Germanic peoples. Which country am I?

BRITAIN • I had the most powerful navy in the world and then Germany threatened me by starting to build its own navy. Which country am I?

RUSSIA • I believe in Pan-Slavism. Which country am I?

FRANCE • I want back Alsace and Lorraine that Germany stole from me. Which country am I?

BRITAIN • I went to war when Belgium was attacked. Which country am I?

GERMANY • My plan was to attack France first and then deal with Russia. Which country am I?

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY • The person who was going to be my next king, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, was assassinated on June 28, 1914. Which country am I?