Alliances: A Definition…

1. Alliances: A Definition… • Alliance – A close association of nations for the achievement of common objectives, or a group of countries united for the purpose of joint military protection • The formation of an alliance – coupled with their own military preparedness – was a means to ensure a country’s security in the years leading up to WWI • Colonial rivalries led each country to seek friends – aka defensive alliances – for their own protection…

2. Fundamental Causes II: The Alliances Entangling Alliances • The Triple Ententeconsisted of France, Russia and Britain. BRITAIN RUSSIA GERMANY • War would automatically pit most of these nations against each other. FRANCE AUSTRIA-HUNGARY ITALY • The Triple Alliancewas comprised of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

3. The Alliances… Triple Entente Allied Forces Triple Alliance Central Powers Bulgaria & Serbia = Neutral

4. Fundamental Causes III: The first shot.. • June 28th 1914 • Crown Prince of Austria- Hungary Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the militant group Black Hand. • Ferdinand was the heir to the Austrian thrown • Black hand: secret military society aimed at uniting Slav peoples (Nationalism…) Crest of the Black Hand

5. The Assassination on film… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E6e8BW0l-E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_tNXFbx0VY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC_26YXMZd4

6. Countdown towards war… • Assassination of Ferdinand June 28 1914. • Austria-Hungary (A/H) consulted with her ally Germany on “how to deal with this.” Germany granted them the famous BLANK CHEQUE (Support A/H in whatever they did, even if that = War). Germany felt Britain would remain neutral… • A/H prepared for war with Serbia  German support. • The ULTIMATUM: A/H told Serbia to hand over their terrorists (Black Hand) or else face war…aka JULY ULTIMATUM. • Serbia agreed somewhat  they requested the clarity of some points - A/H saw this as a rejection; furthered their excuse to go to war.

7. The Countdown continued… • July 28, 1914 A/H declares war on Serbia. • Russia (Triple Entente (TE)) saw this as German action against Balkans (area of Russian interest) –Russia gave Serbia their own BLANK CHEQUE  mobilize army against A/H. • Germany demands that Russia demobilizes demobilize or else… Germany gave support towards Austria, allowing it to mobilize its army, declaring war on Russia • France (TE) declares war on Germany, as it was in alliance with Russia. • Germany declares war on France  felt threatened by Russians & French, asked for mobilization to stop, both refused. • The SCHLIEFFEN plan was put forth by Germany: • attack France through neutral Belgium, designed to prevent a two front war (France to the West & Russia to East).

8. And finally… • German plan continued.. • go @ France first for 6 weeks, then on to Russia (thought Russia would take 6 weeks to get ready). • The 6 week timeline was the brainchild of ALFRED VON SCHLIEFFEN (man with the plan), he also thought that Britain would stay neutral, allowing for the use of Belgium. • But… this was WRONG, as Britain was a champion of Belgium neutrality so… • August 4th, 1914 Britain Declares war on Germany. And the Great War officially had begun…

9. Lets Review the Motives… • Germany: • Germany believed that it could win a war now, not later • Austria-Hungary: • Concerned with the survival of its multi-ethnic state, wanted to solve Pan-Slav problem: • Problem: A/H was in control of Slav people who lived in A/H, the Slav’s wanted to unite with other Slavs in Russia • Russia: • Mostly economic, all weather port… • France: • Believed in loyalty within the Alliance system, saw this as their only way to remain a world power • Britain: • Believed in the independence of sovereign states (no foreign ruler) • Also believed in curbing the increasing strength of Germany