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Causes of World War I Part 3

Causes of World War I Part 3. Causes of the War. The “isms” Nationalism Imperialism Militarism Entangling alliances Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Triple Entente – Britain, France, Russia. Failed Diplomacy.

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Causes of World War I Part 3

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  1. Causes of World War IPart 3

  2. Causes of the War • The “isms” • Nationalism • Imperialism • Militarism • Entangling alliances • Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Triple Entente – Britain, France, Russia

  3. Failed Diplomacy • The Balkans had many ethnicities with different language, culture, religions, etc. • In 1908, talks between Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolski (eezvolskee) and Habsburg Foreign Minister Count Aehrenthal led to the Balkan fuse being lit Aehrenthal

  4. Failed Diplomacy • Russia – wanted to change the “rule” of the Straits of Constantinople, which was closed to all warships when Turkey was at peace, to a new rule which would allow Russian warships to pass them • Austria-Hungary – wanted to convert the occupation of the two Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina into an actual annexation

  5. Failed Diplomacy • They promised each other mutual support…the basis of the talks were to increase Austro-Russian cooperation • Aehrenthal collected his side of the bargain, before Izvolski could speak to the Tsar or Britain • Slav Serbia, resenting the annexation, appealed to Russia for support; Austria relied on Germany • To save face, Izvolski claimed he had been tricked by Aehrenthal • Good relations between Austria and Russia were ended. They would no longer settle their imperial rivalries in the Balkans together

  6. Russian Support of Serbia • Serbia’s nationalist feelings had been wildly aroused by the Monarchy’s annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was inhabited by mostly Serbs • Russia backed Serbia and Germany backed Austria • The Russians backed down as they weren’t ready for war

  7. Russian Support of Serbia • Russia had been more concerned with Constantinople than with supporting Serbia • The Russian government in 1914 knew they had failed to support Serbia in the previous year as warmly as the Serbs had expected and hoped • Failure to support Serbia again would mean the end of Russian prestige in the Balkans and the beginning of a possible new diplomatic alignment there

  8. First and Second Balkan Wars • The small Balkan states were greedy and wanted Turkish territory in Europe • They were ready to fight each other over the spoils • In 1912 and 1913, the Balkan states went to war with each other • As a result, Serbia greatly increased her territory, to the alarm of Austria

  9. Effects of the Balkan Wars • Greece, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Montenegro gained independence • Serbia gained a much greater sense of nationalism because they won both and gained territory • Russia and Austria-Hungary felt equally threatened by each other’s diplomatic policies

  10. Cause #5 – Assassination • The emperor going into WWI was Francis Joseph, who had won the affection of his subjects simply by always having been there: • Braved family misfortunes • Was simple and honest • Had pride in his old age • Archduke Franz Ferdinand was his only heir to the throne

  11. Cause #5 – Assassination • Occurred on June 28, 1914 • The assassins received their weapons from the Serbian terrorist organization called the Black Hand. It was headed by Colonel Dragutin Dimirijevic, who was also in charge of army secret intelligence in Serbia • The Bosnian youths had also been helped by Serbian agents across the border • Despite a warning by the PM of Serbia, Nikola Pasic, Archduke Francis Ferdinand went to Bosnia anyhow • When the chauffeur hesitated which way to go, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated the Archduke

  12. Gavrilo Princip The Archduke’s Uniform The Archduke’s Car

  13. Cause #5 – AssassinationAustria-Hungary’s Reaction • They believed that: • Serbia and Russia would be restrained by Austria backed by Germany • A diplomatic offensive was no longer enough • Serbia needed to be “punished or the empire’s role as a great power would be at an end” • If they didn’t do something, ethnicities in their country would stand up to the Austrian gov’t and push for independence

  14. Cause #5 – Assassination:Blank Check • Bethman Hollweg (the German chancellor), the Kaiser, and the military decided to back Austria-Hungary with German military support if necessary, should Russia intervene • The Austrian ministers were given a free hand to settle with Serbia in any way they thought appropriate

  15. Cause #5 – Assassination:The Wait For War • Even after the German assurances, there was still hesitation: • A-H PM was opposed to war and did NOT want Serbia annexed because he didn’t want any more Slavs • The army asked for more time to prepare • A-H decided to wait until the French President and PM had ended their visit to St. Petersburg, making it more difficult to consult her French ally • On July 23rd, an ultimatum was presented

  16. Cause #5 – Assassination:War Begins • On July 25th, although Serbia submitted to all the demands except Austrian investigators, Serbia mobilized her army • Later that evening, the Austro-Hungarian army mobilized against Serbia • Although the Austro-Hungarian army wouldn’t be ready for another 3 weeks, they declared war on the 28th of July • On July 29th, they bombarded Belgrade

  17. Cause #5 – Assassination:Russia’s Reaction • The Tsar hoped that Germany and the other powers would stand aside while Russia supported Serbia to prevent Austria-Hungary from attacking Serbia • Russia “partially” mobilized against Austria-Hungary on July 29th • The French urged for FULL mobilization

  18. Cause #5 – Assassination:Russia’s Reaction • The Tsar wanted to avoid pushing Germany into mobilization by his partial mobilization, but eventually he was told this was technically impossible, so he consented to a general mobilization on July 31st • This triggered the military in Berlin, which was now in a frenzy

  19. Cause #5 – Assassination:Germany’s Reaction • The Schlieffen Plan was dependent on quick mobilization and defeat of France. Any country that mobilized meant that the plan would have to be executed or it would be too late • As soon as the policy of frightening Russia into acquiescence had failed, the Germans mobilized. France had to be defeated before Russia fully mobilized

  20. Cause #5 – Assassination:War Is Declared By Germany • On August 1st, 1914, war was declared on Russia • On August 3rd, 1914, war was declared on France • On August 4th, 1914, Germany invaded neutral Belgium; Britain declared war on Germany the same day

  21. Why Diplomacy Failed • Alliances divided the world and made it more likely for a large war to develop • Countries couldn’t settle their imperial disputes and created competition/rivalries • The blank check issued by Germany bolstered Austria’s confidence • The ultimatum failed to settle the Serbian-Austria conflict peacefully • British attempts to call for a conference for peace after the assassination failed

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