Causes of World War I--annotated version

What Caused the First World War?

Nationalism

• rivalries among nations to be the best

• militarism

• collapsing empires

• bad blood between nations (FR & GR, A/H & RUS, A/H & Serbia)

Serbia

Austria-Hungary

Russian EmpireGermany

FranceEngland

Nationalism• rivalries among nations to be the best: nations compete for industrial

output, colonies, size of their military, leading international trade and for global influence

• militarism: nations increase the size of their militaries to generate nationalism and enable them to influence the world

• collapsing empires: Russia & Austria were weak, Ottomans fighting nationalism in its empire, Austria and Serbia are trying to expand their influence

• bad blood between nations: Franco-Prussian War (1870-1); Germany won & took land from France; Austria & Serbia competing for influence in the Balkans; Russia supported Serbia and competed with Austria Hungary for influence

The Balkan Powder Keg

• competition for control of the Balkans

The Balkan Powder Keg

• competition for control of the Balkans: This was one of the big sparks to start the war = nationalism! As the war intensifies, this issue of control of the Balkans fades into the background.

The SparkJune 28, 1914

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s visit to Bosnia

• the Black Hand (Gavrilo Princip)

• did Serbia know?!?

• Austria-Hungary’s demands

• mobilizations

The Spark• Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s visit to Bosnia: Heir to the thrown visits Bosnia

to flex Austria’s strength.

• the Black Hand (Gavrilo Princip): It’s a Serbian “terrorist” group that wants Austria-Hungary out of the Balkan region. They assassinate the Archduke which leads to an Austrian invasion of Serbia.

• did Serbia know?!? Historians believe the gov knew, but it wouldn’t have been popular to warn its enemy about the attack.

• Austria-Hungary’s demands: Allow us to investigate the assassination and confront anti-Austrian groups; Serbia says no!

• mobilizations: A/H declares war on Serbia, Russia mobilizes against A/H and GR, GR declares war on FR and Russia, England mobilizes to support FR and protect Belgium.

Entangling Alliances

• England

• France

• Russia

• Italy* (switched sides)

• Serbia

• Belgium

• Austria-Hungary

• Germany

• Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers Central Powers

Entangling Alliances

• England

• France

• Russia

• Italy* (switched sides)

• Serbia

• Belgium

• Austria-Hungary

• Germany

• Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers Central Powers

The War Starts--29 July 1914

• Austria Hungary invades Serbia

• Schlieffen Plan

• two front war

• men were excited!

The War Starts--29 July 1914

• Austria Hungary invades Serbia: After securing its German alliance, A/H invades and draws first blood.

• Schlieffen Plan: German plan to destroy France and then Russia. Attack FR through Belgium, flank French forts and capture Paris. Then, move east and crush Russia before they can mobilize.

• two front war: After the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany must fight a two front war: France in the West and Russia in the East. History has shown this is extremely difficult to win.

• men were excited! At the start of the war, men were filled with nationalism and wanted to crush their enemies. Everyone thought it was going to be a short war.

Stalemate• military “strategies”

• first industrial war

• trench warfare

Stalemate

• military “strategies”: 19th century ideas with 20th century weapons = MASSIVE amounts of casualties.

• first industrial war: Mass production of weapons = better quality and more of them.

• trench warfare: Fighting on the Western Front between England and France vs Germany. Both sides dig in and fight an absolutely brutal war.