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Causes

Causes. World War 1: Overview. First total war in history (soldiers & civilians) In August 1914 it involved only 7 European countries but by November 1918 there were over 30 countries fighting Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, Africa, & on/under the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans

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Causes

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  1. Causes

  2. World War 1: Overview • First total war in history (soldiers & civilians) • In August 1914 it involved only 7 European countries but by November 1918 there were over 30 countries fighting • Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, Africa, & on/under the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans • Resulted in revolutions, changes of govts., loss of empires, the rise of great new powers, & millions of dead

  3. World War I: Causes • While the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate cause of the war, there were four underlying causes of WWI. • They are: • a). Militarism • b). Alliances • c). Imperialism • d). Nationalism

  4. Militarism • The belief in the power of strong armies or navies to decide issues. • It was thought that the only way to guarantee peace was to prepare for war. • Based on the idea that if a nation is strong, then no enemy would dare to attack it. • If war does break out, the militarized nation is able to defend itself.

  5. Militarism • Militarism led to an arms race before 1914 as each country tried to build a larger & more deadly war machine than its rivals. • The size of armies & navies would determine who was more powerful. • Germany contained Europe’s strongest armies while Great Britain was the world’s strongest naval power. • Gr. Britain felt threatened when Germany began to construct a large navy. • European nations were becoming increasingly suspicious & alarmed by the others’ military power.

  6. Products of Militarism

  7. Alliances • Alliances are formed when countries band together against a common threat. • In 1914 there were two alliances: • 1.The Triple Alliance (“The Central Powers”) consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, (Italy) and Ottoman Empire • 2. The Triple Entente (“The Allies”) consisting of Great Britain, France, and Russia

  8. European Alliances 1914

  9. Imperialism • Imperialism is the policy of establishing colonies away from the homeland & building an empire • WHY?- Colonies provided natural resources, places to sell goods, & military strength for many European countries. • Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, the United States all wanted to build a colonial empire. • Imperialism led to frequent quarrels among the great powers of Europe in all parts of the globe. • Arguments over colonies & trade constantly threatened peace.

  10. Imperialism in Asia

  11. Nationalism • Nationalism is a feeling of deep loyalty to one’s people & homeland • Extreme nationalism was causing problems in the early 20th century. • Some people seemed willing to take any action to support their nation, regardless of the effect on others • They were even ready to go to war to promote the interests of their homelands 1914-1918

  12. Nationalism • Nationalism was very strong in Serbia where people resented living under Austrian control. • The Black Hand was a Serbian-Bosnian terrorists group that thought Bosnia should break away from Austria • Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed by a Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip, who belonged to the Black Hand, while visiting Sarajevo.

  13. Ultimatum......July 1914 • The Austro-Hungarian (A-H) govt blamed Serbia for the archduke’s death & attempted to crush Serb nationalism • With the support of Germany, A-H sent the Serbian govt an ultimatum (A ultimatum is a demand by one govt that another govt accept its terms or face war) to Serbia • a). put down all Serb nationalism against A-H • b). Punish those involved in the assassination • c). Allow A-H into Serbia to help destroy the Black Hand • Serbia accepted all except the last request

  14. Outbreak • Austria declared war on Serbia when Serbia rejected the Austrian ultimatum. • Russia, Serbia’s ally, along with France, mobilized their armies. • Germany declared war on both Russia & France when both countries refused to demobilize. • Germany planned to attack France through neutral Belgium • Britain declared war on Germany when Belgium was invaded

  15. Causes of WWI Review • Name the two alliances that existed in Europe in 1914? • What countries belonged to these alliances? • What is nationalism? What role did it play in the outbreak of war? • What was the Black Hand? What role did it play in the assassination of Franz Ferdinand? • How did imperialism cause problems between nations in the years leading to outbreak of war in 1914. • What is militarism?

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