World War I

1. World War I

2. Germany Otto Von Bismarck Wants to isolate France by forming alliances with Austria and Hungary Italy later joins the alliance Makes trade treaty with Russia Kaiser Wilhem II Forces Bismarck to resign Allows treaty with Russia to lapse France and Russia sign treaty that if one was attacked, the other would help out (A 2 front war is Bismarck’s greatest fear) Rising Tensions in Europe

3. Bismarck’s Nightmare-The Two Front War

4. Britain • Tensions in Europe • Britain enlarges fleet and seeks allies • 1904-make a treaty with France- called the “Entente Cordiale” • 1907-make a treaty with France AND Russia, called the Triple Entente

5. Europe Divided -1907 • Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy • Triple Entente- Britain, France, and Russia

6. Warlike Moods • Balkans- “Powder Keg of Europe” • Tense feelings between different ethnic groups • Disagreements between countries • Ottoman empire is declining • France, GB, and Austria want to keep the Russians from expanding into the territory

7. “Inevitable War” • By 1914- many believed that the war had to happen • All the great powers in Europe, except for Britain, kept large standing armies • Generals wanted the war to put their plans into practice • All believed in Militarism and that war was so advanced that it would be over in 6 months • Many feared that if war did not start soon, other countries would grow stronger

8. Underlying Causes of World War I • Militarism-glorified war and caused leaders to prepare armed forces for conflict • Alliance System-divided European continent into 2 rival groups of nations • Imperialism-thrust European colonies into fierce competition to gain colonies, new markets, and new sources of raw material • Nationalism-spurred major European nations to extend their territory; awakened movements for independence among minor nationalities, such as the Serbs (Balkans)

9. The Spark: June 28, 1914 • Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie visit Sarajevo (B-H) • Heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire • Plans on giving Slavs a voice when he becomes emperor • Actual picture from 6/28/14

10. The Spark: June 28, 1914 • Gavrilo Princip, 19 yr. old Serbian Nationalist, • member of the Black Hand (Union of Death) • Assassinates the Archduke and his wife • A-H holds Serbia responsible for the assassination • Austria-Hungary decides to teach Serbia a lesson

11. A-H gets full support from Germany July 23, 1914: A-H sends Serbia an ultimatum: Serbia had to agree to: Stop all terrorist activity Allow A-H officials to find and prosecute assassins 48 hours to consider the ultimatum Serbs expected to reject the requests Serbia agrees to some conditions, rejects the investigation Ultimatum…

12. Austria-Hungary Declares War • July 28th, 1914- Austria declares war; begins to mobilize • Russia supports Serbia: Russia sees itself as protector of Slavic peoples; did not want to risk losing the Balkan states to A-H. • Russia had large army; needed time to mobilize • Few railroads

13. Major Leaders to Watch in WW I • Kaiser Wilhelm II-Germany

14. Major Leaders to Watch… • David Lloyd George- Britain

15. Major Leaders to Watch • Tsar Nicholas II-Russia

16. Major Leaders to Watch… • Woodrow Wilson-USA

17. Major Leaders to Watch… • George Clemenceau-France

18. Major Leaders of WW I Biographical Sketch • Pick one of the 5 major leaders, do a Bio-sketch. Make sure you have all of the information required on the biosketch sheet. • Kaiser Wilhelm II – Germany • David Lloyd George – Britain • Tsar Nicholas II – Russia • Woodrow Wilson – USA • George Clemenceau - France