World War I Causes, Alliances, and the Battles Begin
Jan 03, 2016
World War I
Causes, Alliances, and the Battles Begin
Cause #1- Nationalism
• Definition- The feeling that a specific nation, language, or culture is superior to all others.
• Became a force for unification in Europe and throughout the world
• “We are a Nation”
Cause #2 -Imperialism
• Definition- Competition amongst Nations to build the largest overseas empires
Cause #2 Imperialism
• England, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia all wanted empires overseas and in Europe
• Tension builds
Cause #3- Militarism
• Relationships in Europe grew more strained
• Countries built up their armies aggressively
• By 1913, Germany had the most powerful Army in the world
New Alliances
Trying to create a “balance of power”No one would start a war without a real advantage!
Triple Alliance member #1- Germany
• In 1879 Germany allied with Austria- Hungary
Triple Alliance Member #2- Austria- Hungary
• What?• This consists of what
is now Austria and Hungary
Triple Alliance member #3- Italy
• Joined Austria- Hungary and Germany in 1882
Triple Entente member #1- France
• Concerned by Germany’s Alliance, France formed a military alliance with Russia in 1893
Triple Entente member #2- Russia
• Joined with France in 1893
• Reached an understanding with Britain in 1907.
Triple Entente member #3- Britain
• Britain feared Germany’s growing naval power, they reached entente (or understanding), 1st with France, next with Russia
Who are they?
• Triple EntenteFrance
Russia
Britain
• Triple Alliance
• Italy
• Germany
• Austria- Hungary
STAY TUNED…
For the Spark that ignited war and beyond!
The Spark that lit the fuse.
• 1908- Austria- Hungary annexed Bosnia
• Slavic nationalists (Bosnians)wanted to ally with Serbia
• Black Hand- group that used violence and were nationalists
19 year old Black Hand member Gaurilo Princip assassinates
some one! • Who?• Archduke Franz
Ferdinand (heir to thrown of Austria- Hungary)
• When?• June 28, 1914• Where?• Sarajevo
Result: World War I Begins
Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia(Russian ally)
Everybody fulfills commitments
Central Powers
• Austria- Hungary• Germany• Bulgaria• Ottoman Empire
Allied Powers
• Britain• France• Russia• Italy• What?
COMING SOON…
THE BATTLES BEGIN!
1st Battle of the Marne (September 1914)
• German Army was within 25 miles of Paris (Schlieffen Plan)
• French Troops launched a counterattack at the Marne River
• Germans retreated
• Trench Warfare ensues
• 200,000 + -French and Germans killed
Battle of Verdun (February 1916- December 1916)
• French Verdun- town with Forts
• German would advance and try to “bleed” France to death- attack eventually called off
• Longest WWI battle
• Over 250, 000 killed
• French determination
Battle of the Somme (July 1 to November 18- 1916)
• Chief Ally attack• 20,000 British killed
on first day (record)• Goals- kill soldiers
and gain territory• Eventually called off
2nd Battle of the Marne (July 15- September 16 -1918)
• Germany’s last and desperate offense
• U.S.A. blew up every bridge on the Marne that Germans built
• U.S.A.- 30, 000 killed and wounded