The MAIN Causes of World War 1

•Militarism

•Alliances

•Imperialism

•Nationalism

building up armed forces, getting ready for a war.

agreements or promises to defend and help another country.

trying to build up an Empire.

Having pride in your country, willing to defend it.

MilitarismMilitarism was one of the main causes of the First World War. Some examples included:

•A rise in military spending

•An increase in military and naval forces

•Military has more influence

•A preference for force as a solution to problems.

Country Soldiers $ SpentGermany 8,250,000 60,000,000

Austria-Hungary 750,000 22,500,000

Italy 750,000 10,000,000

France 1,500,000 40,000,000

Russia 1,250,000 15,500,000

Britain 750,000 50,000,000

As one country increased its armies, all the others feel obliged to increase their armed

forces to keep the ‘balance of power’.

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures

France 10%Britain 13%Russia 39%

Germany 73%

Militarism & Arms Race

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914

94 130 154 268 289 398

Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Britian, Russia.] in millions of £s.

An agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if it is needed.

When an alliance is signed, those countries become known as Allies.

A number of alliances had been signed by countries between the years 1879 and 1914.

Some countries had no option but to declare war if one of their allies declared war first.

Alliances

AlliancesTriple Entente: Triple Alliance:

Great Britain

France

Russia

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Italy

• Some countries believed that they were superior and it was alright to conquer and rule others (particularly if they were inhabited by races they thought were inferior) •In 1900, the British Empire covered a fifth of land-area of the earth.

Imperialism Strong nations being in control of weaker ones

NationalismNationalism = Pride in your country (ex: country

flag, national anthem)

Do you think your country is better/superior than all the others?

How would you be if someone insulted your country? ANGRY

How would you be if your country was being controlled/ruled by another country? ANGRY

The Spark: June 1914

Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914

The Assassination n 28 June 1914n Austrian archduke

Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo (the capital of Bosnia).

n The capital was recently grabbed by Austria.

n Hotbed of Slav nationalism

WHO DID IT?n 7 “Black Hand” terrorists

plan to attack the Archduke

n Bomb attempt fails in morning

n Gavrilo Princip shoots Archduke and his wife in the afternoon.

n Terrorists believed Bosnia belonged to Serbia and blamed Austria for taking control.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown, and his

wife were assassinated yesterday afternoon in Sarajevo.

How could an event such as this have caused chaos within Europe?

The assassin is described as a high school student who fired a bullet at his victims with fatal effect from an automatic pistol as

they were returning from a reception at the Town Hall.

Gavrilo Princip “I am a Nationalist.

As far as Serbia is concerned, it is her duty to free us.”

Gavrilo Princip speaking at his trial

Princip wanted Austria-Hungary to allow all Serbians to have their independence.

He believed that Austria Hungary should allow the people to make up their own mind regarding who controlled and governed them.

Should Austria-Hungary blame Serbia for

the murder of the Archduke?

What do you think Austria-Hungary will

think Serbia was trying to do?

July - August 1914

“The greatest catastrophe that has ever befallen the Continent of Europe.”

Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, July, 1914

Aftermath of Assassination n Austrians, supported by

Germany, send Serbia a tough ultimatum.

n Serbia agrees to all but two terms of the ultimatum.

n Russia gets troops ready to support Serbia

n Germany demands that Russia stands her armies down.

n Germany declares war on Russia

“Demands must be put to Serbia that would be wholly impossible for

them to accept …”

28 June, 1914 Serb student, Gavrilo Princip shoots Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife. 28 July, 1914 Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia 29th July, 1914 Russia sends troops to support Serbia 1st August, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia 3rd August, 1914 Germany declared war on France 4th August, 1914 Germany invaded Belgium Britain declares war on Germany 5th August, 1914 Austria- Hungary declared war on Russia 12th, August 1914 France and Britain declare war on Austria-Hungary

The Beginning of World War I

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Ottoman Empire

Russia

France

Great Britain

Serbia

The Allies:The Central Powers:The Alliance System Creates Division in Europe