World War I Section 1 Section 1 World

World War I Section 1

Section 1 World War I Europe on the Brink of War Rising tensions in Europe, 1914 • Tensions result of four factors – Militarism – Alliances – Imperialism – Nationalism

Section 1 World War I Europe on the Brink of War Militarism • Massive military buildup in European countries, late 1800 s and early 1900 s • Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations • Growing power of armed forces left all sides ready to act at first sign of trouble • Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict Alliances • Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces • Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Great Britain joined France, Russia in Triple Entente • Believed no one nation would attack another, because allies would join fight

Section 1 World War I Europe on the Brink of War Imperialism • Late 1800 s and early 1900 s saw quest to build empires • Created rivalry, ill will among European nations • Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations • Each did not want others to gain power Nationalism • Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture, increased in late 1800 s • Led to formation of new countries, struggles for power • Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe • Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman Empire

Section 1 World War I Europe on the Brink of War Some of strongest nationalist tensions in Balkans in Serbia, independent nation • Serbian leaders wanted to expand borders, unite people in “greater Serbia” • Austria-Hungary, powerful empire to north, opposed expansion • Feared growth might encourage ethnic groups there to rebel • Tensions continued to rise in early 1900 s

Section 1 World War I Summarize Why was Europe on the brink of war in 1914? Answer(s): rising tensions as result of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism

Section 1 World War I War Breaks Out In the midst of the tensions with Serbia, archduke Ferdinand of Austria -Hungary decided to visit the Bosnian city of Sarajevo. The Impact • Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated archduke, wife • Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia • Russia prepared to support Serbia • Austria-Hungary ally Germany saw Russia as threat • Germany declared war on Russia, ally France Fighting Begins • Germany faced war on two fronts: Russia to east, France to west • Decided to strike France quickly then move to Russia • Began with quick strike into neutral Belgium • Attack on neutral country led Great Britain to declare war on Germany

World War I War Breaks Out Main players in World War I in place • Central Powers – Germany – Austria-Hungary • Allied Powers – Great Britain – France – Russia – Serbia Section 1

Section 1 World War I Sequence What events led to the outbreak of World War I? Answer(s): Serbian Gavrilo Princip killed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand his wife; Germany (an ally of Austria-Hungary) declared war on Russia (an ally of Serbia); Germany attacked Belgium; Great Britain declared war on Germany

Section 1 World War I Fighting in 1914 Germany’s plan • Germany wanted to quickly defeat France, move east to fight Russia • Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany doomed its plan • The Great War became bloody stalemate Early battles • Battle of the Frontiers pitted German troops against both French and British • Both sides suffered heavy losses • Germany victorious Russia enters fighting • Russia attacked German territory from the east • Russians defeated in Battle of Tannenberg • Germany distracted from France, Allies turned on German invaders

Section 1 World War I Fighting in 1914 Trench warfare begins • Allied troops drove Germans back, Battle of the Marne, September 1914 • Retreating Germans dug series of trenches along Aisne River – Waited in trenches for Allied attack – Trenches elaborately constructed, cleverly concealed • Allies dug trenches of their own – Major battles for months with little change in positions – Deadlocked region became known as Western Front

World War I Section 1

Section 1 World War I Summarize What were the major events of the fighting in 1914? Answer(s): Germany advanced through Belgium to attack France; Russia attacked East Prussia; Russians crushed in Battle of Tannenberg; British and French forces regrouped; millions died or were wounded; trench warfare resulted in a stalemate