WORLD WAR I BEGINS Unit 6 WWI Causes
WORLD WAR I BEGINS Unit 6: WWI
Causes of the War M. A. I. N. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism (+ Balkan “Powder Keg”)
Causes of the War ◦ Militarism – aggressive preparation for war ◦ Industrialization allowed for larger armies and navies; new weapons ◦ Conscription: military draft ◦ Extensive plans for mobilization (preparing and organizing troops for active service) ◦ Alliances ◦ Triple Alliance, Triple Entente ◦ Imperialism ◦ Scramble for Africa created tension between powers ◦ The “Eastern question” ◦ Ottoman Empire began to shrink; European powers wanted their Balkan territory ◦ Nationalism ◦ Ethnic groups without a nation dreamt of creating one
Alliances ◦ Triple Entente ◦ Russia, France, Britain ◦ Triple Alliance ◦ Italy, Austria-Hungary, Germany ◦ Russia also supported Serbia ◦ Ottoman Empire also supported Germany
The “Eastern Question” ◦ Ottoman Empire at risk of collapse in early 1900 s ◦ Began to withdraw from its territory in Balkans ◦ Balkan region valuable because of location ◦ Between Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Russian Empire ◦ Had direct access to Mediterranean ◦ Balkans = volatile ◦ Intense nationalistic, ethnic conflict ◦ “Powder keg”
The Balkans ◦ Serbia wanted to unite Slavs (ethnic group from E. Europe) ◦ Opposed by Austria-Hungary ◦ Ruled a large Slav population; threat of revolt ◦ Supported by Russia ◦ Most Russians are Slavs ◦ Russia despised Aus-Hun; wanted a Slav revolt ◦ Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina to prevent Serbia from uniting Slavs there ◦ June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary visited Bosnia ◦ Assassinated by a Serbian nationalist
Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian terrorist Austria-Hungary asks Germany for support in case Russia mobilizes Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Germany declared war on Russia mobilizes
The Conflict Broadens ◦ Germany devised the Schlieffen Plan in case they found themselves at war with France and Russia simultaneously ◦ Germany would conduct small holding action against Russia; carry out rapid invasion of France through neutral Belgium ◦ Once France is defeated, move full-force against Russia ◦ In August 1914, Germany declares war on France and begins Schlieffen Plan
Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian terrorist Austria-Hungary asks Germany for support in case Russia mobilizes Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Germany declares war on France Germany declared war on Russia mobilizes Germany enacts Schlieffen Plan and invades Belgium Britain declares war on Germany
Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian terrorist Austria-Hungary asks Germany for support in case Russia mobilizes Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia mobilizes Germany declared war on Russia Germany declares war on France Germany enacts Schlieffen Plan and invades Belgium Britain declares war on Germany Japan declares war on Austria-Hungary Japan declares war on Germany Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary France declares war on Austria Hungary Montenegro declares war on Germany Serbia declares war on Germany Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia Montenegro declares war on Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium Russia declares war on Ottoman Empire Serbia declares war on Ottoman Empire Montenegro declares war on Ottoman Empire Britain and France declare war on Ottoman Empire declares war on Allies Italy betrays Triple Alliance Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary declares war on Portugal Germany declares war on Portugal Italy and Russia declare war on Bulgaria France declares war on Bulgaria Montenegro declares war on Bulgaria Britain declares war on Bulgaria declares war on Serbia Italy declares war on Ottoman Empire Irish rebels declare war on Britain Italy declares war on Germany Ottoman Empire declares war on Romania Bulgaria declares war on Romania U. S. declares war on Germany Panama declares war on Germany Greece declares war on Central powers Siam declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary Costa Rica declares war on Germany Nicaragua declares war on Germany and Austria. Hungary Guatemala declares war on Germany Panama declares war on Austria. Hungary U. S. declares war on Austria-Hungary Brazil declares war on Germany China declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary Liberia declares war on Germany Haiti and Honduras declare war on Germany
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