The Great War

• In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic feelings, imperialism, and rival alliances set the stage for a continental war.

• One European nation after another was drawn into a large and industrialized war that resulted in many casualties.

Causes of World War I

• Militarism – policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war.

• Alliance System – both public and secret alliances drug most of the continent of Europe into war.

• Imperialism – industrialization led to competition for materials and markets and resulted in territorial disputes.

• Nationalism – a deep devotion to one’s nation.

• Shifting Alliances– 1890, Kaiser Wilhelm II, built up navy, let

treaty with Russia lapse.– Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, and

Russia

Crisis in the Balkans

• ‘Powder Keg’ of Europe• Serbian nationalism – supported by

Russia, opposed by Austria-Hungary.• Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and

Herzegovina in 1908, Serbia outraged.

A Shot Rings Throughout Europe

• June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife Sophie assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

• Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an Ultimatum.

• July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

• Russia mobilized troops to borders of both Austria-Hungary and Germany.

• Germany declared war on Russia, then on Russia’s ally France.

The Schlieffen Plan

• German plan to avoid a two-front war.• Sweep through Belgium, quickly defeat

France, then turn to face Russia.• ‘Poor Little Belgium’• August 4, 1914 – Great Britain declared

war on Germany for invading neutral Belgium.

• The Schlieffen Plan Failed.

The Schlieffen Plan

European Nations Take Sides

• Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, Germany (Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire later joined in hopes of regaining lost territories.)

• Allies – Great Britain, France, Russia (Japan within weeks, later Italy)

• It Begins – in late summer, 1914, millions marched happily off to what they thought would be a short war.