World War I The MAIN Causes of. The MAIN Causes M ilitarism A lliance Systems I mperialism N ationalism.

World War I

The

MAIN Causes of

The MAIN Causes

Militarism

Alliance Systems

Imperialism

Nationalism

Militarism

Militarism – building up military to be prepared for war and/or used as a tool of diplomacy

Total Defense Expenditures of Great Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Britain, Russia)

*in millions

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914

$156 $216 $256 $446 $481 $662

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures

France 10%

Britain 13%

Russia 39%

Germany 73%

Alliance Systems

Alliance – a formal agreement or union between nations promise to aid and protect one another

Triple EntenteTriple Entente Triple AllianceTriple AllianceGreat Britain

France

Russia

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Italy

Imperialism

One country taking over another economically and politically

Nationalism

Nationalism – pride in or devotion to one’s country

Assassination

Balkan Peninsula – much interest Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to Austria-Hungary throne Sarajevo, Bosnia Killed by Gavrilo Princip

Serbian nationalist Black Hand member

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

Artist’s depiction of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death; declared war on Serbia.

Germany pledges support for Austria-Hungary.

Russia pledges support for Serbia.

Germany declares war on Russia.

France pledges support for Russia.

Germany declares war on France.

Germany invades Belgium on the way to France.

Great Britain supports Belgium; declares war on Germany.

Allied PowersAllied PowersAllied PowersAllied Powers Central PowersCentral PowersCentral PowersCentral PowersGreat Britain

France

Russia

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Ottoman Empire

Attitudes about war

Most soldiers excited Family tradition Becoming heroes No major wars in many years

Many volunteer Drafts still need to be used

Expect quick end to war

Overview of the War

3 Fronts Western – French/German border Eastern – German/Russian border Rest of World – seas, Africa, Asia

Trench Warfare New Weapons

Poison Gas, Machine Gun, Tank, Submarine

German Strategies

Schlieffen Plan Doesn’t want to fight

on 2 fronts Attack & defeat France

1st

Then Russia Submarine attacks

On Navies On transport ships

Total War – all resources towards war

Russia in WWI

Attack Austria & Germany Top resource is # of people

Are cut off from supplies – no rail lines Leaves war in 1917

Chaos erupts to tough living

US’s role in WWI

Want to avoid Pulled in by German sub warfare Joins war in 1917

Zimmerman telegraph Brings new energy, resources, and troops

A New Kind of War

Trench Warfare Front Line Support Reserve Dugouts - offices “No Man’s Land” – space between sides Saps – shallow trenches facing opponent

Trench Warfare