The Road To War 1914. Causes of World War 1 1.Emergence of Germany as a major power 1900 Most German speaking people are united under one nation – Germany.

The Road To War

1914

Causes of World War 11. Emergence of

Germany as a major power

1900 Most German speaking people are united under one nation – Germany

Wish to be recognized as a world power

Wants colonies and territory

Causes of World War 12. Imperialism (Clash of Empires)

The Act of empire building

Britain, France, Spain and Portugal have many colonies = big Empires

Germany wants an empire too

Causes of World War 1

3. Naval / Arms Race

Britain had the largest Navy – to protect its empire

Germany wanted a navy too, to acquire colonies and then protect them

Britain saw Germany’s naval growth as a direct threat!!!

Causes of World War 1

4. Nationalism

Pride in one’s country

Citizens were prepared to do anything for their nation – even go to war

5. The Alliances of WWI

Causes of World War 1

6. The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Austrian heir, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are killed by a Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, in Sarajevo, Bosnia – a state within the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

Black Hand – Serbian Nationalist Terrorist group. Resent being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Serbia historically closer to Russia not Austria-Hungary Kill the A-H heir

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

Summer 1914

Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated at Sarajevo

June 28

July 23

July 25

July 28

Austria sends ultimatum (list of demands) to Serbia

Serbia replies, rejecting them

Austria invades Serbia

July 29 Russia mobilizes

Alliances kick in

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

Summer 1914 - continued

July 29- Russia mobilizes army along borders with Austria and Germany- Germany declares war on Russia

August 3 - France mobilizes forces to assist Russia- Germany declares war on France

August 4 - 5

Germany invades Belgium as a way to get to France Britain declares war on Germany – protecting Belgium

Canada and the British Empire are at war

World War 1 Begins The Schlieffen Planhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/western_front/index_embed.shtml

Designed to prevent a war on two fronts

Take France in 6 weeks, by surprise by going through Belgium

Once France falls, move troops east to fight Russia

World War 1 Begins Schlieffen Plan – Why

it Failed!1. Belgium had a treaty

with Britain, France and Germany guaranteeing its neutrality

2. German Generals altered the plan causing German troops to turn south towards Paris earlier than originally planned

Britain objected when Germany invaded Belgium This was their reason to go to war

German troops encountered both French troops moving out of Paris and British from the Channel ports

World War 1 Begins

German advance was halted on the Marne River – both sides “dug-in” extensive trench systems protected by artillery and machine guns