1 / 207

The Great War: Tensions, Alliances, and the Balkans

This chapter explores the rising tensions in Europe, the complex web of alliances, and the powder keg that was the Balkans, leading up to the outbreak of World War I. It delves into the rivalries among the great powers, the impact of imperialism and militarism, and the crisis in the Balkans. The chapter also discusses the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the subsequent plunge of Europe into war.

paulettebradley
Download Presentation

The Great War: Tensions, Alliances, and the Balkans

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 13 The Great War 1914-1918

  2. I. Marching Toward War A. Setting the stage 1. Europe - continental war • military buildup • nationalistic feelings • rival alliances

  3. B. Rising Tensions in Europe • The Rise of Nationalism • Europe enjoys peace in late 1800s

  4. b) Competition among nations c) The Balkans leads many groups to demand independence • Considered the “powder keg” of Europe http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/index.html

  5. 2. Europe’s Great Powers • Germany • Austria-Hungary • Great Britain • Russia • Italy • France

  6. 3. Rivalries Among European Powers 1) Economic rivalry a) Competition for materials & markets

  7. 2) Territorial disputes a) France greatly regretted its loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in 1870

  8. b) Austria-Hungary & Russiacompeted for dominance of the Balkans c) Intense nationalism led to demands for independence • Serbs • Bulgarian, • Romanians

  9. 4. Imperialism and Militarism • Militarism - the policy of glorifying power and keeping an army prepared for war • Mutual animosity spurs European countries to engage in arms race

  10. c) Competition for colonies stirs mistrust among European nations d) link between militarism and imperialism is as a country gains colonies, its military grows to protect them.

  11. C. Tangled Alliances • Bismarck Forges Early Pacts a) Germany’s Otto von Bismarck works to keep peace in Europe after 1871

  12. b) Believes France wants revenge for loss in 1870 Franco-Prussian War

  13. Seeks to isolate the French with a series of treaties and alliances 1) Signs treaty with Russia in 1881 2) Claims the French are the greatest threat to peace in Europe

  14. d) Forms the Triple Alliance in 1882 • Germany – Fears France • Austria-Hungary 3) Italy

  15. 2. Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace • Kaiser Wilhelm II – ruler of Germany in 1888 1) led Germany during the last decade of the 1800s and most of World War I

  16. b) Foreign policy changes begin in 1890 with dismissal of Bismarck 1) alliance with Russia dropped 2) Russia then allies with France 3) Major effort to strengthen German navy - this alarms Britain

  17. c) Triple Entente alliance in 1907 1) Britain – Fears Germany 2) France 3) Russia

  18. The Alliance System Triple Entente: Triple Alliance:

  19. The Major Players: 1914-17 Allied Powers: Central Powers: Nicholas II [Rus] Wilhelm II [Ger] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Enver Pasha[Turkey] Franz Josef [A-H] Pres. Poincare [Fr]

  20. D. Crisis in the Balkans • A Restless Region a) Many new groups in Balkans win independence during early 1900s

  21. b) New nation of Serbia made up largely of Slavs c) Austria-Hungary annexes Slavic region • Bosnia & Herzegovina (1908)

  22. d) Serbia outraged 1) sees itself as rightful ruler of these Slavic lands e) “Powder Keg” of Europe

  23. 2. A Shot Rings Throughout Europe • Serbian rebel kills Austro-Hungarian royal official in June 1914 • Archduke Francis Ferdinand – heir to the Austrian thrown

  24. b) Austria sent Serbia an Ultimatum (1) Final set of demands c) June 28, 1914 Austria Declared war on Serbia

  25. Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Family

  26. The Assassination: Sarajevo

  27. The Assassin: GavriloPrincip

  28. II. Europe Plunges into War • Setting the stage • Large & industrialized war

  29. B. The Great War Begins • Nations Take Sides a) mid-August 1914, two sides are at war

  30. 1) Central Powers a) Germany & Austria-Hungary b) Their location is the heart of Europe

  31. 2) Allies • Britain • France • Russia

  32. 2. Armies on the March • Russia moves troops to its borders with Austria & Germany

  33. b) Germany declares war on Russia(1) quickly attacks France c) Great Britain declares war on Germany d) Italy refused to support Germany (1) accused Gr of starting the war

  34. C. A Bloody Stalemate • The Conflict Grinds Along • Western Front – heavy battle zone in northern France • German army quickly advances to outskirts of Paris

  35. c) The Schlieffen Plan • Avoid fighting a 2 front war • Germany will defeatFrance quickly

  36. 3) Then fight Russia 4) German armies would march through Belgium & swing south behind French lines

  37. Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium forced Britain to declare war on Germany • Plan fails - Germany has to fight a 2 front war

  38. 2. War in the Trenches • Conflict descends into trench warfare • Armies fighting from trenches (a) to protect soldiers from enemy gun fire on the front lines

More Related