causes of the first world war from 1870 to 1914, a number of developments gradually increased...
TRANSCRIPT
Causes of the First World War
From 1870 to 1914, a number of developments gradually increased tensions among the European powers that led to the outbreak of World War I
The
MILITARISM ALLIANCES IMPERIALISM NATIONALISM causes of World War I
MILITARISMThe Industrial Revolution
led to large, advanced militaries in Europe
Europeans believed that to be great, nations had to have strong militaries
As a result, an arms race began among European nations, especially between Britain & Germany
Nations glorified military power &
kept an army prepared for war (called militarism)
Having a strong army increased
patriotism among citizens
HMS DREADNOUGHT
GERMANY’S U-BOAT
ALLIANCES
Growing rivalries among nations led to the formation of
two military alliances
that threatened to draw European
nations into war
Germany, Italy, & Austria-Hungary made up the Triple Alliance
England, France, & Russia formed the Triple Entente
IMPERIALISMEuropean nations competed fiercely
for colonies in Africa & Asia Competition for colonies often pushed Europeans
to the brink of war This competition increased European rivalry & mistrust
Germany & France almost went to war three times
over Morocco
Germany, England, Russia
argued over building a
railroad in India
England & France
argued over rights to the
Sudan
Analyse the cartoon below using your sourcework steps:
NATIONALISM
Austrian national poster, 1900
Rivalries due to militarism & imperialism
increased nationalism among European powers
British propaganda poster, 1897
European rivals tried to maintain a balance of
power while also trying to overpower each other
“European Balance of Power, 1914”
NATIONALISMWhile nationalism unified
people in the powerful nations, it was dividing
people in weakening empires
No region was more tense in the years
before World War I than the Balkans
Serbia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, & Romania
broke from the Ottoman Empire to create new nations
Slavic people in Serbia wanted to unify all Slavs
but Austria-Hungary opposed giving up the
largely Slavic territories Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Balkans became a “powder keg” waiting for a spark to blow up
The Outbreak of World War I Serbians vowed to
take Bosnia & Herzegovina from Austria-Hungary
On June 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife were
assassinated by a Serbian terrorist
The assassin Gavrilo Princip
The Outbreak of World War I On July 23, Austria-Hungary
issued an ultimatum to Serbia: turn over conspirators & allow
an investigation…OR…go to war When Serbia balked at some
of the terms, Austria-Hungary declared war on June 28, 1914
Russia had a large population of Slavs & was an ally of Serbia; Russia moved troops
to the Austrian border These events set off a chain reaction that started World War I
During the war Germany & Austria-Hungary became the Central Powers; They were
joined by Bulgaria & the Ottoman Empire
The members of the Triple Entente became known as the Allied Powers
and eventually were joined by…
…many nations throughout the world