We have reached the year 1914, marking the beginning date of the first world war in history. What has happened so far in history to

lead us to this event?

What led to the outbreak of World War I: (1914-1918)

The MAIN causes of World War I were:

Militarism- building up one’s military

Alliances- a pact between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.

Imperialism- a policy or practice by which a country increases its power by gaining control over other areas of the world.

Nationalism- pride in one’s country

http://www.history.com/videos/causes-of-world-war-i#causes-of-world-war-i

What alliances emerged prior to WWI?

• Triple Alliance [Central Powers]– Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy– Italy refuses to honor alliance in WWI – Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers

• Triple Entente [Allied Powers]– France, Russia, and Great Britain– Later joined by Italy in 1915– USA becomes an associated power during

WWI

Central vs. Allied

• Austria-Hungary• Germany• Italy (Triple Alliance) • Ottoman Empire• Bulgaria (shut down Russia’s use of transportation in the Black sea & Mediterranean)

• Serbia• Russia• France

(Schlieffen Plan)• Belgium• Great Britain• Japan• Greece• United States

In addition to these nations, all of the colonies that belonged to the above nations also participated in WWI.

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, June 1914

• Assassinated by Gavrilo Princep, a Serbian Nationalist.

• Sparked a chain reaction of events that had disastrous consequences. http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/assassination-o

f-archduke-franz-ferdinand-2

Significant events that sparked WWI...

• Austrian officials saw nationalist minority groups as threat to monarch & the assassination as an opportunity to crush Serbian-sponsored movement in Bosnia… (justification to take action. )

• Austria-Hungary dispatched an “ultimatum” that Serbia couldn’t accept in 48 Hours.

• Serb military mobilizes and so does Austria• Austria declares war (given the support from

Germany)• Germany then issues ultimatum to Russia demanding

cessation of military measures against A-H; Russia doesn’t respect it and thus Germany declares war.

What factors contributed to each

country entering World War I?

What factors contributed to each

country entering World War I?