The Causes of World War I MANIA - An Overview

1. The Causes of World War IMANIA - An Overview

2. Background • In the early 1900s, Europe was divided into 6 large empires; • Alliances were formed between different countries; • The alliance system created two hostile sides, making it possible for a conflict to escalate into a full-scale European war; • The arms race served to create and strengthen the alliances, but also made war more likely. • Despite a number of international crises in both Morocco and the Balkans, war did not break out until 1914. • Video on causes (comedy from Wing.)

3. Causes of the Great War – M.A.N.I.A • The four long-term causes: • Militarism • Alliances • Nationalism • Imperialism • The immediate cause, or “spark”: • Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

4. Militarism Militarism means that the army and military forces are given a high profile by the government, and that the forces are being mobilized (readied for war). • The growing European divide had led to an arms race between the main countries. • All the countries within the hostile camps were building large armies and navies during the pre-war years.

6. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914, and there was fierce competition between Britain and Germany for mastery of the seas. • Conscription was introduced in Germany and France to ensure the countries were ready for war. Along with industry and communication, this enabled armies to expand. • The British had introduced the “Dreadnought” , an effective battleship, in 1906. The Germans soon followed suit introducing their own battleships.

7. In addition, before the conflict happened, the militaries of each country had drawn up complete plans for mobilization. • The German General von Schlieffen drew up a plan of action that involved attacking France through Belgium if Russia made and attack on Germany. • The British had made their own agreement with Belgium to protect them in the event of an attack. • The German government did not believe that Britain would stand by their promise to protect Belgium • These plans only awaited the go-ahead signal. The existence of secret battle plans stimulated espionage, which in turn aroused greater hatred and fear.

8. The naval strength of the powers in 1914 Country Personnel Large Naval Vessels Tonnage Russia 54,000 4 328,000 France 68,000 10 731,000 Britain 209,000 29 2,205,000 TOTAL 331,000 43 3,264,000 Germany 79,000 17 1,019,000 Austria-Hungary 16,000 3 249,000 TOTAL 95,000 20 1,268,000 Source: Ferguson 1999 p 85

9. Alliances • An alliance is an agreement made between 2 or more countries to give each other help if it is needed. • When an alliance is signed, those countries become known as allies. • A number of alliances had been signed by countries between 1879 and 1914 • From the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871, a system of secret alliances developed in Europe. This eventually split the continent into two hostile sides. • Germany defeated France and took the territory of Alsace-Lorraine – this defeat was a huge humiliation for France.

10. Alliances • As tensions grew in Europe, countries began to look for friends (allies) they could count on for military support and help. • Could bring more countries into a conflict. • Two alliance systems developed: • Triple Alliance: • Germany • Austria-Hungary • Italy • Triple Entente: • Britain • France • Russia

11. Triple Alliance (Central Powers) • Germany: • Formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary (1879) and Italy (1882) to protect itself against the potential power of France and Russia; • When France and Russia formed an alliance in 1895, feared that they were being encircled, so began to militarize.

12. Austria-Hungary: • Formed an alliance with Germany (1879) and Italy (1882) • Concerned with Russia and their support of Serbia in the Balkans; • Wanted to put an end to nationalism being stirred up by Serbia within the A-H empire. • Italy: • Economically and militarily weak; • Allied with Germany and A-H in 1882; • In 1914, remained neutral and eventually joined the Triple Entente.

13. WW1 Alliances

14. Triple Entente • France: • Lost the Franco-Prussian War with Germany in 1870-1871, and lost the territory of Alsace-Lorraine; • Worried about the growing economic and military power of Germany; • Allied with Russia in 1895 and signed an entente (understanding) with Great Britain in 1904;

15. Russia: • Concerned with Germany’s growing power; • Alliance with Serbia (both were slavic nations); • Signed in alliance with France in 1895; • As a result, France lent Russia money to build up its industries, railways and army. • Great Britain: • At first, wanted to remain ISOLATED and did not make any agreements; • With Germany’s naval growth, began to view Germany as a rival and signed an entente with France in 1904; • Also concerned about Russia and the potential threat it posed to the British Empire (India), so they signed an agreement with Russia in 1907.

16. Due to the alliances, some powers were forced to support policies followed by their allies, which they didn't really approve of. • countries had no option but to declare war if one of their allies declared war first. • Because so many different powers were involved in mutual defense agreements, when the war did happen, it involved nearly every country of Europe. • Lastly, the secret alliances led to suspicion and the belief that far more secret agreements existed then, was in fact, the case.

17. The 2 Systems of Alliances The Triple Alliance (or “Central Powers” The Triple Entente (or the Allies)

18. Imperialism Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and makes them subject to their rule. • With the rise of industrialization, countries needed new markets for raw materials, and to sell their manufactured goods to. • By 1900 the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa. • The amount of colonies 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany, who had entered the scramble to acquire colonies late and only had small areas of Africa.

19. Empires of the European Powers

20. Nationalism • The desire of subject peoples to govern themselves; • People across the world were very eager to let the rest of the world how strong and important their country was. • Many people thought that their country was better than others, and thought that they'd be able to win a war very easily if there was one.

21. There was a desire for independence. • Many people in Europe lived in countries that were part of empires. • They didn't all like being ruled by people with different languages, cultures, and religions, and this led to conflicts that could (and did) involve other nations.

22. The Crises - Morocco • In 1904, Morocco had been given to France by Britain; • The Moroccans wanted independence and were supported by Germany; • In 1906, a conference was held in which Britain and France acted together to prevent Germany from interfering in North Africa. • Germany was humiliated and feared that they were isolated, except for Austria-Hungary.

23. Morocco continued, • In 1911, the Germans were again protesting against French possession of Morocco. This time they sent a gunboat to enforce their position; • The British saw this as an attempt by Germany to establish naval influence and a conference was held; • Britain supported France, and Germany was persuaded to back down for part of French Congo. • Both crises were intended by Germany to test the entente of 1904 (the British-French alliance), but they only served to strengthen it!

24. Crises: Bosnia • The Balkans were an unstable part of southeastern Europe which contained many different ethnic groups; • Countries like Serbia, Austria-Hungary, and Russia all had ambitions to expand their territory into the Balkans. • In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed, or took over, Bosnia and Herzegovina • This led to tension between Austria-Hungary, Serbia, and Russia. • Serbia threatened Austria-Hungary with war. Russia, allies with Serbia, mobilized their forces, and Germany, allied with A-H, mobilized their forces. • War was avoided when Russia backed down

25. The Balkan region of Europe was claimed by both Russia and Austria-Hungary (it was, in general, under Austrian control). This meant that the Russians and the Austrians would both be eager to enforce their authority over this region, however the Slavs living in these regions really didn’t want foreign rule. 

26. Bosnia continued • In 1912 – 1913, there were 2 wars in the Balkans; • In 1912, the Balkan states allied up and drove Turkey out of the region; • In 1913, the Balkan states fought each other over the territory acquired in their victory. • A-H intervened, and forced Serbia to give up land • Tensions between A-H and Serbia were high, but war was avoided with a peace agreement in 1913.

27. Impact of the Crises • The crises over Morocco and the Balkans served to: • Strengthen existing friendships; • Humiliate other powers (Germany and Russia); • Make some powers keen for revenge (Austria and Serbia).

28. Assassination – The “Spark”! • By 1914, tensions were high in Europe; yet, no one saw a full-scale war on the horizon. • On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophia, were travelling in a parade in Sarajevo. • Future king and queen of Austria-Hungary. • Sarajevo (a city in Bosnia) was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. • Most wanted Bosnia to no longer be part of the AH Empire, and they were willing to fight to achieve this freedom. • The Black Hand: a terrorist group opposed to AH rule.

29. Assassination • As Franz Ferdinand and Sophia travelled in their unguarded motorcade, they were unaware of the Black Hand presence. • A bomb was thrown into their car, but Ferdinand threw it out (blew up the car behind them). • The parade route was quickly changed, but no one informed the driver in the confusion. • A wrong turn was made, and as the cars slowed to turn around, GavriloPrincip (Black Hand) broke forward and fired two shots. • The royal couple were fatally wounded (died on route to the hospital).

30. The assassin, Gavril Princip, was a member of the Serbian terrorist group the Black Hand, whose motto was “Unity or Death” • The Black Hand wanted the independence of all Slavs from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and saw the assassination as a way to further their aims.

31. Causes of the Great War • The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the spark that set all of Europe on fire.

32. The Austro-Hungarian government was worried about the increasing power that Serbia had, and believed that Princip had received backing from the Serbian government – which was the perfect excuse for Austria-Hungary to take military action. • July 5: Germany issued Austria-Hungary a “blank cheque” to act firmly against Serbia – this was basically a promise for support given by Germany to Austria-Hungary. • July 23: Austria-Hungary issued a list of demands to Serbia requiring Serbia to: • Stop all anti-Austrian activities and dismiss all officials hostile to A-H; • Punish those involved in the assassination plot; • Allow officials from A-H to enter Serbia to investigate the murder.

33. July 25: Serbia agreed to all but the last demand. Consequently, A-H began to mobilize their troops, and within 3 days had declared war on Serbia (July 28). • July 29: The Russian army prepares to mobilize to help Serbia; Germany issues a warning; Belgium declares neutrality. • July 30: Russia mobilizes; • July 31: Germany begins to mobilize; • Aug. 1: Germany declares war on Russia and begins to implement the Schlieffen Plan;

34. Aug. 2: Germany invades Luxembourg; France prepares for war; Germany gives Belgium an ultimatum – either let German troops pass through Belgium or risk invasion. Belgium refuses. • Aug. 3: Germany declares war on France (because France mobilized) and invades Belgium. Britain orders Germany to leave Belgium. Germany refuses. • Aug. 4: Britain declares war on Germany. France also declares war on Germany; • Aug. 6: A-H declares war on Russia.