Causes of the Great War

1. A series of unfortunate events Causes of the Great War

2. Building Tension: Long-Term Causes • German Unification • Nationalism • Militarism • Entangled Alliances • Two major Alliances: • Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, Russia) • Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)

3. Crisis in the Balkans: Short-Term Causes • Austria-Hungary wanted to create a triple monarchy • Would have included a Slavic state in the Balkans • Serbia wanted to prevent this • (Nationalism?) • June 28, 1914: Archduke Francis Ferdinand – heir to the the A-H throne – visits Bosnia • Assassinated by Serb terrorist group “The Black Hand” • GavrilioPrincip and others attempt suicide. • They fail and are captured.

4. The Ultimatum & The July Crisis • July 23, 1914: A-H sends an ultimatum, or final proposal to Serbia. • Meet our demands our else! • Arrest involved individuals • Assists A-H in court proceedings • Remove all propaganda against A-H empire • Serbia does not respond. • July 28, 1914: A-H declares war on Serbia with full backing of Germany.

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events • 7/29: Russia mobilizes, comes to the defense of Serbia • Alliances • 8/1: Germany views Russian mobilization as act of war, declares war on Russia • 8/3: Germany declares war on France • 8/4: Great Britain declares war on Germany • Violates Belgium neutrality

6. The Schlieffen Plan • Germany had been planning for a 2-front war • The Schlieffen plan was based off the ideas of General Alfred Von Schlieffen • Called for a 2-front war • Hold Eastern front against Russia • Quickly capture Paris (and France) to the West. • Then focus on Russia to east