NB #2: World

War I Causes(Have NB#1 Map On Desk)

Pay attention to video clips and

explanations of slides to fill out

note taking guide.

• Militarism

• Alliances

• Imperialism

• Nationalism

4 MAIN Causes of World War I – Built up for decades before 1914

All the countries of

Europe built up their

armies and navies. In

1914, their armed forces

stood like this:

• Germany: 2,200,000

soldiers, 97 warships

• Austria-Hungary:

810,000 soldiers, 28 warships.

• Italy: 750,000 soldiers, 36

warships

• France: 1,125,000 soldiers,

62 warships

• Russia: 1,200,000 soldiers,

30 warships

• Great Britain: 711,000

soldiers, 185 warships

As each country

increased their armies,

all the others felt obliged

to increase their armed

forces and establish

alliances to keep the

‘balance of power’.

Land of Hope and Glory,

mother of the free...

God who made thee mighty,

will make thee mightier yet.The words of Land of Hope and

Glory, English ballad sung by

British people at the parades.

Germany, Germany above all,

over everything in the world,

When it steadfastly holds

together, offensively and

defensively.The words of the German national

anthem, Deutschland über Alles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tletwavDMgM 7 minute summary of MAIN

The Balkans are a “Powder

Keg” for Conflict

The Balkans were also home to many

different ethnic and language groups

that had long standing conflicts and

alliances with larger, more powerful

neighboring empires.

The Balkans is the name used to describe

an area in southeastern Europe that was at

the crossroads of Catholic, Orthodox

Christian and Muslim influence where

religious tensions had existed for

centuries.

Nationalism was a powerful & dividing

force in the Balkans and had grown due

to many wars & changing borders in the

region. Various Balkan ethnic &

religious groups wanted their own

independent nations.

Serbia’s desire to control Bosnia created tensions

among allies: Russia (Serbia) vs. Austria-Hungary (Bosnia)

Serbia was small independent republic (allied

with the Slavic Russian Empire) that wanted

to unite all Slavs in the Balkans into one

nation of people with similar ethnic and

religious backgrounds.

Bosnia was an ethnically and religiously

mixed Balkan region controlled by the

Austro-Hungarian Empire (an ally of the

powerful German Empire). Some Slavs

living in Bosnia wanted to join Serbia.

Balkan “Powder Keg” Explodes!!

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary visits Sarajevo, Bosnia on

June 12th, 1914

• He and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip

• Austria-Hungary wants to punish Serbia

• “July Crisis” breaks out as allies of Serbia and Austria decide what to do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtdSoeYQYk (40-43)

Alliance System (ironically meant to prevent war) kicks in

and quickly escalates events in summer of 1914 – see NB #1 maps

Explain how this cartoon illustrates

the situation that caused of World War I in 1914

Explain how this cartoon illustrates

the situation that caused of World War I in 1914

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http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/378585/All-Quiet-On-The-Western-Front-Movie-Clip-Life-Of-The-Fatherland.html

1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front classroom scene (4 min)

What does this scene illustrate about the attitudes of the German students at the onset of World War I?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtdSoeYQYk

PBS: The Great War Documentary (46-50):

What does the film clip show about the attitudes

of people in various nations across Europe as

World War I began?

Pro War Attitudes at the Start of WWI

World War I Summary

• When: July, 1914 to November, 1918

• Who: * Major Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia

- Later Italy & USA

• Major Central Powers: Germany, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary

• How: Huge scale attacks with new deadly technology including mechanized

weapons, chemical weapons, long range artillery and air power

• Where: Most battles in Europe (Western & Eastern Fronts) with some conflict

in colonial holdings across Africa & Asia.

• What Resulted:- 8.5 million soldiers died & 20+ million injured…millions of civilians casualties as well

- Europe economically devastated, socially embittered & politically unstable

- Treaty of Versailles ending WWI fails to solve issues that caused war and leading to an even bigger

conflict (World War II) 20 years later

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPZQ0LAlR4&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9&index=36 “Crash Course” Summary of WWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3UjJ5kxiLI 6 Minute Cartoon Summary of WWI