Causes of WWI (2007)
- 1. World History, Culture and Geography Causes of WWI
- 2. Long Term Causes - Nationalism Starting with the French Revolution National identities become important, desire dominance and prestige 1871 Germany and Italy become nations – they want to catch up with Britain, France Pride in country partly based upon industrial capacity, colonies
- 3. Long Term Causes - Industrialization 1850’s on sees industrialization spread to continental Europe Economic competition between nations begin – Germany quickly gaining on Britain Transportation, communication, and military advances continue Need for markets and raw materials => imperialism
- 4. Long Term Causes - Imperialism Nationalism and industrialization tied to colonial holdings Competition for colonies increases tensions European nations military, political, and economic domination of Africa and Asia build confidence
- 5. Long Term Causes - Militarism Between 1870 and 1914, European nations increase military spend by 400% Many believed war was coming, began preparing German, Russian Generals extremely powerful Arms race developed
- 6. Short Term Causes Entangling alliances pull everyone into the war Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) Germany secretly told Austria-Hungary they would support them no matter what happened – called the “blank check”
- 7. Short Term Causes Triple Entente (England, France, and Russia) – Treaty of Friendship France was concerned about Germany’s growing military England was concerned with Germany’s navy
- 8. Precipitating Events Moroccan Crisis between France and Germany Balkan Wars between 1912-13 raised tensions between Russia, Serbia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary Balkans considered the “Powder Keg of Europe” – so many countries had national interests in the region
- 9. The Domino Effect In June 1914, Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, travels to Sarajevo with his wife to review the Austrian Hungarian army on maneuvers.
- 10. The Domino Effect June 28, 1914 – Austrian Archduke Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia A nineteen year-old member of the Black Hand, Gavrilo Princip, jumped from the sidewalk onto the Archduke's car and fired 2 shots. The Archduke and his wife were killed.
- 11. Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to the Serbian government in order to allow Austrian forces to investigate the assassination and stop anti-Austrian activities in Bosnia
- 12. The Domino Effect: War Starts . . . 2) Serbia refuses the ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declares war (3) Russia mobilizes an army to defend Serbia (4) Germany declares war on Russia
- 13. The Domino Effect War Starts . . . (5) France declares war on Germany (6) Germany invades Belgium to attack France (7) Britain declares war on Germany
- 14. The Domino Effect: War Starts . . . Italy decides that its chances to gain land are better with France, Britain, and Russia. Italy abandons its pre-wartime alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary and joins the war on the side of France, Britain, and Russia.
- 15. Most of the fighting takes place in Western Europe, even though the conflict started in the Balkans in Eastern Europe
- 16. Fighting spreads to the colonies as well =global war!