World War I 1914 1918 World War I

World War I 1914 -1918

World War I • Several names: WWI The Great War The War to End All Wars The Trench War The Imperialist War

WWI • Known as a “world war” because fighting was literally occurring all over the world due to colonization and imperialism • By the end, over 100 countries would be involved in some way • The world had never seen a war as large or as devastating as World War I would be

Causes • Reasons that brought about WWI: 1. Competition – Europeans competing with each other in almost every way possible (economically, militarily, etc. ) 2. Imperialism – Conflict over foreign territories and resources 3. Militarism – Resources devoted to military use, glorification of war, arms races 4. Alliances – Crazy system of alliances between the major powers of Europe

Causes 5. Nationalism – The driving force behind the majority of the other causes, German unification – Recent territory vacated by the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan Peninsula (Serbia and Slavs) becomes increasingly nationalistic

The Spark • Serbian nationalists become increasingly frustrated with Austria’s continued push to have a SPHERE OF INFLUENCE over Serbia • June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand his wife are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist • In response, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

• Less than a month after the So It Begins… assassination, Austria declares war on Serbia • Countries all over Europe declare war on each other to honor their alliances • Triple Entente – Britain, France, and Russia • Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria. Hungary, and Italy

Domino Effect • • • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia enters the war to declare war on Austria and defend its Serbian allies Germany enters to aid Austria Germany invades France, who is allied with Russia Britain enters to defend its French allies Confused?

The Powers • Allied Powers – Britain, France, and Russia • Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Italy

• The Central Powers are quickly caught in a twofront war – Squeezed between two battle lines with the enemy on each side • Eastern Front – fighting Russia • Western Front – fighting Britain and France The Start

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