Long Term Causes of The Great War

1914 – 1918

MILITARISM• Militarism denoted a rise in military

expenditure, an increase in military and naval forces, more influence of the military men upon the policies of the civilian government, and a preference for force as a solution to problems. Militarism was one of the main causes of the First World War.

IMPERIALISM• Another factor which contributed to the increase

in rivalry in Europe was imperialism. Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa.

IMPERIALISM PART II• Although Britain and France resolved their

differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.

NATIONALISM• Nationalism posed a problem for

Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups. The ardent Pan Slavism of Serbia and Russia's willingness to support its Slavic brother conflicted with Austria-Hungary's Pan-Germanism.

ALLIANCE SYSTEMS• The alliance system was started by Bismarck, the

German Chancellor from 1871 to 1890.

• Bismarck organized a system of alliances designed to maintain Germany's power on the

European continent. 1879

The Dual Alliance                                        Germany and Austria-

Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves

from Russia

1881Austro-Serbian Alliance                                     

Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining

control of Serbia

1882The Triple Alliance

                                      

 Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance

with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with

Russia

ALLIANCE SYSTEMS Continued

1894 Franco-Russian Alliance: Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-Hungary

1904 Entente Cordiale: This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.

1907 Anglo-Russian Entente: This was an agreement between Britain and Russia

ALLIANCE SYSTEMS FINAL!1907 Triple Entente: This was made between Russia,

France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany.

Thestage isset for

WAR!!

Assassination in Sarajevo• Two bullets fired on a Sarajevo street on a sunny

June morning in 1914 set in motion a series of events

that shaped the world we live in today.