Causes of World War One

1. Causes of World War One Militarism

2. Causes of World War One • Militarism : [mil-i-tuh-riz-uhm] • noun • 1. a strong military  spirit or policy. • 2. the principle or policy of maintaining a large military  establishment. • 3. the tendency to regard military  efficiency as the supreme ideal of the state and to subordinate all other interests to those of the military.

3. Causes of World War One • During the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s the major European powers began to expand their military forces • The primary area of expansion was the navy • Navies were seen as a way to project power in other parts of the world (essential for colonial powers) and to protect shipping

4. Causes of World War One • The main naval power was the British Empire • They had the largest and most modern navy at the time • Germany saw the expansion of their navy as a way to challenge British superiority • Both countries embarked on major building programs

5. Causes of World War One • The British built bigger and better ships, designing a whole new class called dreadnoughts • The Germans also built large ships but they split their efforts and created a submarine force as well, the first such one ever

6. Causes of World War One • The naval race lead to other countries feeling nervous and so they began to build up both their much smaller navies and their land forces • Between 1908 and 1913 military spending by all European powers increased by 50%