Causes of World War I

1. Causes of World War I Who wanted this war anyway?

3. Video Clip

4. Alliances My dad can beat up your dad

5. Triple Alliance • Germany • Rivalry with France and England • Austria/Hungary • Rivalry with Russia, Serbia, and Italy • Italy • Rivalry with France and Italy • Ottoman Empire • Rivalry with England

6. Triple Entente • Russia • Had lost face by losing the war to Japan • France • Lost territory to Germany • Britain • Looking to protect its trade empire

7. Schlieffen Plan • Assumed that if Germany was at war with Russia it was also at war with France • Relied on two things: • Russia would be slow to mobilize • Using rapid troop movements Germany would be able to quickly defeat France

8. Schlieffen Plan • The moment Russia started to mobilize its troops a world war was guaranteed • Germany either had to declare war on France AND Russia or admit defeat prior to a shot being fired

9. Nationalism I am better than you!

10. The Big Three • Weltpolitik or the desire for world power was popular in Germany • France wanted revenge for the loss of Alsace and Lorraine • England wanted to maintain its position as the leading imperial power

11. Balkans • Serbia wanted Austria-Hungary out of the Balkans • Serbia wanted to form a Slavic state called Yugoslavia where they would be the main power • Austria-Hungary was looking to maintain its power in the region • Russia was looking to gain power by being seen as the protector of the Slavs

12. Assassination • On June 28, 1914 Austrian Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a 17 year Bosnian Serb student • According to their statements at trial the goal of the assassination was a symbolic act of protest

13. Who was to blame? • The Bosnian Serbs who did the killing had no real plan and had in fact originally planned to kill the local governor • The Austrian-Hungarians ignored advice that said this was a very bad time to visit • Serbian intelligence officers provided the conspirators with information and weapons

14. How did this lead to war? • Austrians acted out against Slavs by arresting them and destroying their businesses • Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the assassination • Austria-Hungary sought out the support of its ally Germany before taking any action at all • Austrian-Hungarian demands of Serbia were deliberately designed to be to offensive for Serbia to accept and gave a 48 hour deadline • Serbia initially stated that they could accept the demands with a few minor issues • However when it became clear that Russia would support Serbia they stopped negotiating with Austria-Hungary

15. Imperialism My country is bigger than yours

16. Colonies around the World in 1914

17. Imperialism • Imperialism had for Europe provided a period of relative peace • Wars were fought far away and were very short • European countries competed with each other to have the most colonies • Colonies provided European nations with a way of showing how powerful they were

18. Militarism Why arms races are bad

19. Naval Race 1906 - 1914 • In 1906 the British navy completed the HMS Dreadnought • This ship was so revolutionary that all ships before it were classes as pre-dreadnought • Germany and England then proceeded to get into a race to see who could produce the most of this new type of ship

20. Military Spending • In the years leading to WW I both Germany and France saw their armies more than double in size • Prior to 1914 85% of French men military age and 50% of Germany men had served in either the army or navy • All the major powers except England had conscription

21. Everyone is Afraid • Germany had long had the most powerful army in Europe • German naval development was a threat to England • Germany feared be encircled by enemies • Austria-Hungary feared losing its place in the world

22. The End Now off to the trenches