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WORLD WAR I

WORLD WAR I. CAUSES OF THE WAR. Causes of wwI. First World War wasn’t fought for clear reasons. war was a result of many contributing factors. generally accepted that there were four MAIN causes: 1 . Militarism 2 . Alliances 3 . Imperialism (colonialism) 4 . Nationalism .

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WORLD WAR I

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  1. WORLD WAR I CAUSES OF THE WAR

  2. Causes of wwI • First World War wasn’t fought for clear reasons. • war was a result of many contributing factors. • generally accepted that there were four MAIN causes: 1. Militarism 2. Alliances 3. Imperialism (colonialism) 4. Nationalism

  3. militarism • this is a policy or attitude whereby the military is used as a means to solve problems and disputes. It is often referred to as “Saber Rattling”. • Prior to the war, Britain and Germany had been involved in a frantic arms race. It was largely naval, as both countries produced larger battleships. • Naval power helped ensure that countries could support and defend colonies. • Many conflicts between colonial powers were resolved through posturing or a show of force, also known as “Gunboat Diplomacy.”

  4. Alliances • A series of secret and public treaties were in place to protect countries. Although defensive, they ensured that once hostilities erupted, all of Europe would be dragged into a war. • Triple Entente-(Allies)Britain, France and Russia • Triple Alliance-(Central Powers)Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy • Even when countries tried to stay out of conflicts, treaties and alliances dragged them in.

  5. Imperialism • this is the policy or attitude whereby a country builds an empire, or a collection of colonies to increase its own strength and wealth, with resources and strategic location of bases. • Germany was trying to build an empire, competing Britain, which already had a large empire. • Countries were competing to establish colonies in Africa & the Pacific. Pride caused conflicts & disputes. • Britain proudly claimed,“The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

  6. Nationalism • this is a strong sense of pride in ones cultural & ethnic background. Nationalism can, but does not have to refer to ones “country”. (ex. Quebec) • Major powers were ultra-nationalistic. They were considered “jingoistic” (super patriotic, flag waving, self obsessed.) • Smaller groups dominated by larger powers were also nationalistic. Their nationalism was expressed in a desire to be free of the colonial power. • Countries who shared a linguistic, ethnic, or cultural link, felt an allegiance to each other. Nationalism encourages alliances.

  7. The role of the balkans • Three Empires want control: • Russia: supports Pan-Slavism (uniting Slavs); hopes supporting them will open up their warm water ports (Russian ports frozen in winter) • Austria-Hungary: Pan-Slavism a threat; would lose grip on territories which included some Slavic nations • Ottoman Empire: 100 year control of Balkans and more now crumbling; feared losing even more territory

  8. Chain reaction The Spark: • 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand Austro-Hungarian crown prince assassinated by GavriloPrincip, member of the Black Hand (Bosnian Serbian terrorist group seeking to free Bosnia from Austria-Hungary.)

  9. June 28th Austria Hungary blamed Serbia for assassination July 6thAs part of Triple Alliance Germany offers Austria-Hungary “blank cheque” promising support, even going to war July 23-28 Serbia does not meet all requirements of Austro-Hungarian ultimatum (hand over terrorists, etc) so Empire declares war July 26 Causes Russia to mobilize its troops to defend Serbia as part of Pan-Slavism July 31 Germany responds with its own mobilization, prompts Britain to put navy on alert; France also mobilizes. Aug 1 Germany declares war on Russia Aug 3 Germany declares war on France Aug 4th Germany violates neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg in order to attack France Aug 4thBritain declares war on Germany to protect its ally Canada automatically went to war as part of British Empire

  10. motives • Review the Causes with the Horrible Histories • Germany: Believed could win war now, but maybe not later on • Austria-Hungary: needed to solve Pan-Slav problem(Slav people wanted to unite with Slav groups in Russia and form their own country. • France: believed that the only way to remain a major power was through alliance system • Britain: believed in independent states in which people governed themselves (and curbing Germany’s strength) • Russia: economics – wants access to an all-weather port

  11. World leaders • Canada – PM Robert Borden• Great Britain – PM David Lloyd George• France – PM Georges Clemenceau• Russia – Czar Nicholas II• United States – President Woodrow Wilson • • Germany – Kaiser Wilhelm II• Austria-Hungary – Emperor Franz Joseph

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