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Causes of WWI - Military Plans, Alliances, Nationalism, War Reality

Explore how militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism led to WWI, with key individuals and events such as the crisis in Sarajevo and the impact of the Schlieffen Plan. Learn about the excitement and harsh reality of war in Europe at the early twentieth century.

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Causes of WWI - Military Plans, Alliances, Nationalism, War Reality

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  1. Bellringer #1 • Why was war an ever present possibility in Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century? • How did the creation of military plans lead the nations of Europe in WWI? • How did international alliances help to draw nations in WWI?

  2. By A. Finemesswww.SchoolHistory.co.uk The Causes of WW1 Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Significant individuals

  3. Militarism 1. • Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships. • The British feared an attack on their Empire. • Brinkmanship-the practice of threatening to go to war to achieve one’s goals.

  4. Militarism 2. • Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies: 1880 1914 • Germany 1.3m 5.0m • France 0.73m 4.0m • Russia 0.40m 1.2m

  5. Alliances • By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances. • The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. • Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread. • WHY???

  6. Imperialism • All the great powers were competing for colonies / territory. • The British feared Germany in Africa. • The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in the Balkans

  7. Nationalism • This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence. • In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule. Serbia’s national flag

  8. Significant Individuals 1. • Kaiser Wilhelm II • Built up German army and navy • Aggressive foreign policy • Determined to make Germany a top nation. • Distrusted by other powers “Germany must have its place in the sun” “The world belongs to the strong.”

  9. Significant Individuals 2 • Count Berchtold • Austrian Prime Minister. • During the July Crisis, decided on a very tough ultimatum for Serbia “Were the Serbs to agree to all the demands, this would not be to my liking”

  10. Significant Individuals 3 • Bethmann Hollweg • German Prime Minister • Gave very strong support to Austria during the July crisis while Kaiser was cruising on his yacht “The Austrian demands are moderate. Any interference by Britain, France and Russia would be followed by incalculable consequences”

  11. The Crisis 1. • 28 June 1914 • Heir to Austrian throne Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo. • Capital of Bosnia, recently grabbed by Austria. • Hotbed of Slav nationalism Seal of the Black Hand group

  12. The Crisis 2. • “Black Hand” terrorists attack the Arch Duke • Bomb attempt fails in morning • Gavrilo Princip shoots Archduke and wife in the afternoon. • Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists.

  13. The Crisis 3. • Austrians, supported by Germany, send Serbia a tough ultimatum. • Serbia agrees to all but two terms of the ultimatum. • Russia mobilises her troops to support Serbia • Germany demands that Russia stands her armies down. • Germany declares war on Russia “Demands must be put to Serbia that would be wholly impossible for them to accept …”

  14. Why did Britain get involved? • Britain had Ententes with France and Russia. • Only “friendly agreements” but French and Russians given impression Britain would fight. • The Schlieffen Plan Sir Edward Grey British Foreign Secretary … “There’s some devilry going on in Berlin”

  15. The Schlieffen Plan • Germany’s military plan to defeat France and Russia. • “Knock out blow” aimed at France first. • Avoid French defences by invasion of Belgium. • Germans thought Britain would not intervene.

  16. Britain’s Reaction • 1838- UK had signed a Treaty to protect Belgium. • Britain also scared of Germany controlling Channel ports. • Did not want Germany to defeat France and dominate Europe. Britain next? • UK issued ultimatum to Germany to withdraw troops from Belgium. War declared August 4 1914

  17. Excitement of War • In 1914, Europeans went to war with enthusiasm • Believed war would be over in a few weeks and the men would be home by Christmas

  18. Reality of War • Quickly turned into a stalemate, neither side could dislodge the other from trenches • Kept both sides in virtually the same position for 4 years! • Trenches on the Western Front ran from the English Channel to Switzerland

  19. Reality of War • On the Eastern Front • War was much more mobile • Germany defeated Russia in two battles • Austrians were defeated by Russians and thrown out of Serbia • Italians betrayed Germany and Austria • Russia and Serbia were eventually both knocked out of the war by defeats from the Central Powers

  20. Reality of War • New Weapons • Airplane • Zepplin

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