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Explore the events leading up to World War I, including rising nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and tangled alliances. Discover the catalyst that ignited the war in the Balkans.
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Marching Toward War Chapter 29, Section 1 Adapted from: Ms. Susan M. Pojer and Mr. Gregory Yankey
Introduction • Efforts to outlaw war and achieve a permanent peace had been gaining momentum in Europe since the middle of the 19th century. • Some Europeans believed that progress had made war a thing of the past. • Yet in little more than a decade, a massive war would spread across the globe.
Rising Tensions in Europe • Below the surface of peace and goodwill, Europe witnessed several gradual developments that would ultimately help propel the continent into war.
The Rise of Nationalism • Europe enjoys peace in late 1800s but problems lie below the surface • Growing nationalism leads to competition among nations • Nationalism in the Balkans leads many groups to demand independence
Imperialism and Militarism • Imperialism, and the quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to the brink of war and intensified the sense of rivalry and mistrust. • The nations of Europe took pride in having strong militaries and being prepared for war. This led to a dangerous arms race. • Glorifying military power is called militarism.
Tangled Alliances • Growing rivalries and mutual mistrust had led to the creation of several military alliances among the Great Powers as early as the 1870s. This alliance system had been designed to keep peace in Europe. But it would instead help push the continent into war.
Bismarck Forges Early Pacts • Germany’s Otto von Bismarck works to keep peace in Europe aft 1871 • Believes France wants revenge for loss in 1870 Franco-Prussian War • Seeks to isolate the French with a series of treaties and alliances: • Signs treaty with Russia in 1881 • Forms Triple Alliance in 1882 • Germany • Austria-Hungary • Italy
Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace • Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes German ruler • Foreign policy changes begin in 1890 with dismissal of Bismarck • Alliance with Russia dropped; Russia then allies with France • Efforts to strengthen German navy, which alarms Britain • Britain, France, Russia form Triple Entente alliance in 1907
The Alliance System Triple Entente: Triple Alliance:
Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers: Central Powers:
The Major Players: 1914-17 Allied Powers: Central Powers: Nicholas II [Rus] Wilhelm II [Ger] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Enver Pasha[Turkey] Franz Josef [A-H] Pres. Poincare [Fr]
Crisis in the Balkans • This mountainous peninsula in the southeastern corner of Europe was home to an assortment of ethnic groups. With a long history of nationalist uprisings and ethnic clashes, the Balkans was known as the “powder keg” of Europe.
A Restless Region • By the early 1900s the Ottoman Turks had declined and the peoples of the Balkans had formed new nations: Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. • Serbia had a large Slavic population and was supported by Russia. • In 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbian leaders were outraged and tensions between the two nations rose.
A Shot Rings Throughout Europe • On June 28, 1914 the heir to the throne of Austria, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, paid a visit to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Foolishly, they were riding in an open car.
Assassination and Ultimatum • The couple was shot by 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip(right), a Serbian nationalist member of the terrorist organization Black Hand.
Ultimatum • Austria delivers an ultimatum to Serbia with numerous demands on July 23, 1914. Serbia agreed to most of the demands trying to avoid war.
Historical Artifact • The blood stained uniform of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The War Begins • July 28, 1914: Austria rejects Serbia’s offer of most of the demands and declared war on Serbia. • Russia, the protector of Serbia, mobilizes its forces toward the Austrian border.
