World History - WWI causes
- 1. WORLD WAR ONE The GreatWar Begins
- 2. What Would You Do? One day after school you see two groups of schoolmates involved in a fight. Both sides yell to you to join in and help their side. What are the advantages and disadvantages of remaining neutral and staying out of the fight? What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting involved? If you do get involved how do you decide what group to join?
- 3. Alliances in Europe Great Powers in Europe Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Britain, France and Russia Start to distrust each other Group together/form treaties to protect each other Alliances were intended to keep peace so that no one would dare attack the other but the opposite happened
- 5. Alliances Triple Alliance Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary Later they become known as the Central Powers Triple Entente France, Britain and Russia Later they would become known as the Allies What two large alliances formed before the beginning of World War I? What were each called during the war?
- 6. Underlying Causes of WWI Nationalism Imperialism Militarism/Competition System of Alliances
- 7. Nationalism European powers were jealous of each other and guarded their status (rank, prestige) Especially strong in Germany and France Russia Sponsored a plan called pan-Slavism which said all Slavic people shared a common nationality. Russia was the largest Slavic community and so they felt obligated to protect all Slavs In 1914 when they defend Serbia war will erupt!!
- 8. Imperialism Overseas rivalries divided European nations Competition for colonies almost brought France and Germany to war over Morocco Britain and France also kept up with the competition and got colonies in Africa and Asia To protect their empires they had to build up their militaries…
- 9. Militarism/Competition Militarism Glorification of the military and led to arms race Germany was growing into an economic and military powerhouse Britain felt threatened by this growth With tensions on the rise great powers began to build up their armies and navies Worst rivalry was between Britain and Germany
- 10. System of Alliances All these mutual hostilities, jealousies, fears and desires led Europe to sign treaties of assistance that committed them to support one another If one country was attacked the other had to protect that country and help them fight What were the underlying causes that led to WWI?
- 11. Assassination Sparks War!! A conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia would soon erupt in war Crisis begins when Archduke Francis Ferdinand announced he would visit the capital of Bosnia. At the time Bosnia was under the control of Austria-Hungary but it was also home to many Serbs News of this visit angered many Serbian nationalists
- 12. Assassination Sparks War!! Members of a Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand fired on both the Archduke and his wife Sophia who died on the spot
- 13. Austria Strikes Back Hungary wanted to maintain peace but Austria was adamant about going to war. Germany tell Austria that they will back them 100% no matter the cost Austria send Serbia an ultimatum – to avoid war Serbia must end all anti-Austrian aggression and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder plot and would allow Austria to join the investigation Their refusal to meet all the demands allowed Austria on July 28, 1914 to declare war on Serbia
- 14. Alliances Kick In The war between Serbia and Austria might have been just a small war but because of the system of alliances drew the great powers deeper into conflict Russia and France back Serbia Russia ask France to join their side and they do so When Germany demands that France stay out but they refused and Germany declare war on France
- 15. Alliances Kick In Italy and Britain remain neutral (take neither side) initially General Alfred von Schlieffen developed Germany’s military policy Germany’s location presented the possibility of a two-front war with France in theWest and Russia in the East Schlieffen Plan was designed to avoid this problem
- 16. Alliances Kick In Schleiffen said Germany should attack France first because it would take Russia’s military would be slow to get going But the plan required going through Belgium so Germany attack them too This act outrages Britain and they join forces with France How did the alliance system deepen the original conflict between Austria- Hungary and Serbia into a general war?
- 17. Reaction to War Governments on both sides emphasized that their countries were fighting for justice and a better world Young men rushed to enlist, cheered on by their women and elders Now that war had come it seemed like an exciting adventure