The Path to World War I

1. The Path to World War I

2. In the 1800�s 2 modern European countries were born. They are the countries of German and Italy. Previously they had been collections of dozens of independent kingdoms or principalities. Germany was united by the state of Prussia, and the men Otto von Bismarck and Prussian King Wilhelm.

3. By 1871 they had conquered an d unified all German speaking states except for Austria, which was already very powerful and had their own empire: The Austro-Hungarian or Hapsburg Empire.

4. Wilhelm was named Kaiser or emperor and Bismark (on the left) was named Chancellor. Bismark was known for his belief that the world was run not by �speeches and decisions� but by �iron & blood.�

5. The new state of Germany invaded France because of some disputed territory. This is called the Franco-Prussian war. It was fought over the buffer territory between the 2 countries called Alsace-Lorraine.

6. In the end, the new German state won, handily beating the conscripted French armies. The Germans occupied Alscace Lorriane and forced the French to pay reparations of 5 billion French Francs

7. Germany emerged from this war as the new powerhouse in European military and political affairs. Other countries started to imitate certain German concepts such as a General Staff for military matters, railroads, telegraph, and universal conscription. How wars were fought and how countries would prepare for them were changing very quickly.

8. There was a great military build up in the nations of Europe between the 1870�s and 1914. New and horrible weapons were being developed and soldiers and sailors being trained in how to use them.

9. Additionally, a system of alliances was formed. Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy agreed to protect and defend one another. They were known as the Triple Alliance. France, England, and Russia also signed an alliance and they were know as the Triple Entente. Both sides postured for many years.