World History 3201 Unit 1 World War I

World History 3201 Unit 1: World War I

Unit 1: World War I (1914 -1918) l The sources of tension that triggered outbreak of World War I l Causes l Major events l Role of science and technology l Process ending World War I

The sources of tension that triggered outbreak of World War I • No one event or person caused the Great War. There were many factors that contributed to mobilization of the belligerents. • Tension grew between the leading nations of Europe, as a result of growing strain placed upon their relationship with each other. • There were at least four underlying causes of the first World War.

Four Underlying Causes of WWI • 1. Nationalism • 2. Economic Rivalry (imperialism) • 3. The Arms Race • 4. The Alliance System

Nationalism Ø Nationalism is an intense sense of loyalty and pride in one’s nation (beyond patriotism). Ø At the start of the 20 th century many countries such as Germany, Britain, Russia and France had an aggressive sense of their own superiority and destiny that fuelled the outbreak of war.

Political Nationalism Ø Alsace-Lorraine (Political Nationalism)– two French provinces taken by Germany after the Frances humiliating defeat of the Franco-Prussian War of 1871. Ø This region bordered France and Germany, and was very valuable. Ø German possession of this region was a source of French resentment and became the focus of French Nationalism and Anti. German sentiment.

Economic Nationalism Ø Germany only became a unified state after the Franco-Prussian War (1871) Ø France in their defeat ceded Alsace-Lorraine. Ø Germany boomed after unification, wanting colonies for resources to maintain its thriving economy and to compete with other imperialistic powers Ø Britain, France, Belgium had long maintained colonies. Germany now wanted their own empire and to become a major power.

Ethnic Nationalism Austria-Hungary was a country where many different groups lived together. Ø Many of these groups had different religions, languages and cultural traditions. Control was maintained and controlled as a part of the Ottoman Empire, ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty. Ø Many of these groups were not happy with this type of control and wanted to have their own autonomy (Croats, Poles, Slovaks, Serbs, Czechs) Ø Russia took an interest in this region and began to interfere in a quest to unite the Slavic people in the region (Pan-Slavism). Ø

Britain (Pax Brittania) Ø World power that had a vast empire and a powerful armed forces, particularly its navy. Ø Led by a sense of duty to the Monarchy. Ø Britains international interests and power helped maintain a period of relative peace prior to WWI. Ø They became suspicious of up and coming rivals like Germany and Japan/

Economic Rivalry Nations such as Britain, France and Germany aggressively competed for world markets and resources. Imperialistic activities in parts of Africa and Asia created tension between these competing countries. Their rivalries often came close to violence in continents such as Africa.

The Arms Race n n n Due to imperialistic expansion, nations needed a means to protect their interests. Most nations were actively building up their military and even began drawing up detailed plans for a future war. (Germany’s “Schlieffen Plan”, and France’s “Plan 17”) England Germany engaged in a deadly naval race. (German began to challenge England’s Naval supremacy. )

The Alliance System • Most of the large nations in Europe were members of two powerful alliances: the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). • These alliances also involved the overseas empires such as those of Britain and France. • The results of these alliances was to increase tension and suspicion and turn a disagreement between two nations into a full blown war.

Ultimatum • a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation, a breakdown in relations or a declaration of war.