World History 3201

1. World History 3201 UNIT 1 – THE CAUSES OF WW1

2. Things you need to do... Read pages 16-19 to gain understanding of European life at beginning of 20th century. Read pages 20-27: focus on reasons for imperialism

3. What was it like at the turn of the century??? Industrialization was on the rise creating a feeling of optimism and confidence about the century that lay ahead. There was growing criticism of national political goals, and the darkness that results from new prosperity.

4. What was it like at the turn of the century??? • America presented new political views based on liberalism, a philosophy based on the idea of equality, individual rights, and the freedom of choice... Which was gaining broad acceptance. • “The land of great opportunity!” • Invention of the light bulb by Edison, the invention of the airplane by the Wright brothers. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEcpJQxtswA • 11:03 • However...

5. What was it like at the turn of the century??? • Much of the world still operated through authoritarian regimes, the absolute ruling by one person over an entire nation. • It was of normal thinking “that rulers should rule and the rest should obey.” • In Russia, the Czar had absolute power. • In Germany, the Kaiser ignored the weak Reichstag (parliament) • In Britain, even though Queen Victoria had little political power the royal family had substantial social influence • Most people in Asia and Africa were under rule of monarchs, rulers or European colonial powers.

6. The World in 1900’s • The world’s most powerful and technologically advanced nations were • United States • Great Britain • Germany • France • Tension existed in Europe where the main powers were • Great Britain • Germany • France • Russia • Austro-Hungary War clouds were gathering over Europe.

7. Europe in 1900

8. Unit 1- WW1 Important terms Imperialism Nationalism Colony Triple Alliance Triple Entente Ultimatum

9. Imperialism • Domination by a powerful nation over the political, economic, and cultural affairs of another state or region • Policy of forming and maintaining an empire • The urge to create empires was rooted in the search for, “Gold, Glory and God” (pg. 21 in text)

10. Nationalism • Devotion to and pride in one’s country. It often develops when people share common language, culture, history, etc. • Factors contributing to nationalism include: • common language, religion, culture, etc. • military achievements • size of empire • economic power • military power • external threats ( real or perceived)

11. Nationalism • Most often positive, but at the turn of the 20th century it meant hostility and feeling of superiority. • French region Alsace-Lorraine along Germany’s western border. • 1871 Franco - Prussian War • Surrendered region to Germany

12. Nationalism

13. Nationalism

14. Colony • Region governed by a foreign country The British Empire 1900

15. Triple Alliance • Military alliance formed 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Otto von Bismarck of Germany sought this alliance to isolate France in 1882.

16. Triple Entente • Military alliance formed by Britain, France, and Russia Note: Italy joined 1915!

17. Ultimatum A final proposal of terms that if and when rejected may end negotiations and result in war.

18. Imperialism: Why Imperial Powers sought to expand? Increased power and prestige Political rivalries and military strategies Acquiring new raw material and markets for finished material

19. Empires of the world 1900

21. Imperial Powers • The THREE major powers in 1900: • Britain – 25% of the Earths surface • France – 14% • Germany - ~ 5% = 44% of Earth’s surface under the control of 3 countries!

22. UNIT ONE Cause of WW1

23. Introduction After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Europe and the United States experienced a period of relative peace. There was rapid industrial and commercial progress. The western powers expanded trade and colonies. National rivalries gradually grew and alliance camps emerged. Economic competition and arms race also became intense. The Balkans became a hotpot of western intervention, as the Ottoman Empire declined. Finally war broke out in 1914, a war which was unexpectedly disastrous and destructive in scale. The war was caused by a number of interwoven factors.

24. Causes of WW1 1. NATIONALISM- there were two kinds of nationalism in 19th Century Europe: • The desire of subject peoples for independence • It led to a series of national struggles for independence among the Balkan peoples. Other powers got involved and caused much instability.

25. 2. the desire of independent nations for dominance and prestige • As the powers try to dominate each other in Europe, their rivalries may be regarded as one of the causes of the First World War.

26. Nationalism in Britain Great pride in its empire/Royal Navy (largest in the world) which was seen as the greatest in the world Belief that its noble destiny was to maintain world peace (e.g. Pax Britannia/peace of Britain) Suspicious of German & Japanese desires for territory & military/economic power Followed policy of ‘Splendid Isolation’ from 1815-1914 as it tried to avoid any conflict in Europe & instead concentrated on its empire

27. Nationalism in France Wanted revenge for 1871 loss of provinces of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany & desire to regain control over coal/iron ore in this region After 1871, created large overseas empire with colonies in Africa & Asia in order to emphasize national pride & prestige

28. Nationalism in Germany Desire to be a world empire like Britain Growing economic nationalism & strength as strongest economy in Europe (e.g. coal & iron ore, etc.) Frustrated by inability to attain colonies in Africa/Asia & believed Britain & France conspired to prevent Germany from gaining colonies Pride in strength & ability of its army (best in Europe

29. Nationalism in Austria-Hungary Too many nationalities & ethnic nationalism ‘tearing’ country apart as different nationalities wanted independence Empire was in decay as industrialization was not widespread Feared rise of Serbia & its nationalism & desire to create ‘Greater’ Serbia that included Austrian controlled Bosnia-Herzegovina

30. Nationalism in Russia Believed in pan-Slavism - all Slavic peoples (Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, etc.) should work together & be led by Russia Wanted to increase its role in the Balkans at expense of Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empire (e.g. desired control of Constantinople & access to Mediterranean Sea from Black Sea)

31. Causes of WW1 2. ECONOMIC RIVALRY – competition between nations to produce the greatest economic growth After the Germany obtained Alsace- Lorraine from France, it flourished! By 1900 many German industries surpassed those in Britain and by 1914 was producing twice as much steel.

32. Economic Rivalry Because Germany became industrialized later than Britain, its factories were newer and more technologically advanced = more efficient!!! Also, Germany had a strong education system focusing on science and technology = creating engineers and scientists to continue developing technology, maintaining German’s efficiency.

33. Causes of WW1 3. THE ARMS RACE – the competition between two rival states to gain superior military weapons and technology. Germany wanted to increase its naval power to equal Britain’s navy resulting in a naval arms race In 1900 British navy was twice as large as any other navy

34. Arms Race • In 1898, Germany started large scale naval building program to create a navy equal in size to that of Britain • Britain feared a large German navy as it would threaten its sea communications & trade with its empire • In response, Britain built a larger & newer navy around a new type of battleship – • the dreadnought (‘06) which made all other warships obsolete resulting in the Dreadnought Race with Germany

35. Arms Race • What was the significance of the naval race? • Until 1900 – Germany was Britain’s closest ally and since the days of Napoleon France was Britain's imperial rival. • German’s naval expansion alarmed British leaders, creating suspicions • Therefore in stead of facing a potential enemy in isolation, sought alliances with formal rivals France and Russia (Triple Entente)

36. Causes of WW1 4. The system of Alliances • Military alliances • members would come to aid of other alliance members if attacked by a state from outside that alliance. • Germany’s aim until 1890 was to isolate France from having any other allies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfxrTD-kPps

37. Several alliances were created in the years leading up to the war: • Dual Alliance (1879): Germany & Austria-Hungary vs. Russia • Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy: • Germany – fear of France • Austria-Hungary – fear of Russia • Italy – fear of France • Reinsurance Treaty (1887): • Germany & Russia agree to remain neutral with each other if either state attacked by another country • Germany ensured France would not have Russia as an ally if France attacked Germany. • Kaiser Wilhelm II did not renew the treaty in 1890, thus motivating Russia to look to France as an ally against future German attack • Dual Entente (1894): France & Russia vs. Germany • Triple Entente (1907): France, Russia & Britain: • France: fear of attack from Germany • Russia: fear of attack from Germany and/or Austria-Hungary • Britain: fear of Germany (due to Naval Race)

38. Causes of WW1 • Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany, negotiated a Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879 and in 1882 drew Italy into it making it the Triple Alliance.

39. Causes of WW1 German Alliances Pre – WW1 1879 Bismarck and the Germans signed the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary 1882 he negotiated the Triple Alliance that drew Italy into the pact. The members of this alliance promised that if any one of them should be attacked, all three would wage warfare together against the aggressor. 1887 Bismarck persuaded Russia to sign a secret Reinsurance Treaty, whereby Germany pledged its support to the Balkans while Russia assured Germany of its neutrality in the event of a French attack on Germany. Bismarck had achieved his goal of isolating France and securing Germany.

41. Causes of WW1 • Some alliances began to dissolve however: • Wilhelm II became the new Kaiser of Germany in 1888 and dismissed Bismarck to assume his role of Chancellor as well. • Wilhelm II embarked on very different policies and let the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia lapse in 1890 • Feeling betrayed by an ally Russia turned to France and by 1894 they entered into a military alliance (Duel Entente) • BIG DEAL THESE 2 COUNTRIES HAD BEEN ENEMIES SINCE THE FRENCH INVASION OF RUSSIA IN 1812!!!

43. Causes of WW1 Britain became nervous having no allies (Splendid Isolation) and in 1907 joined France and Russia whom together became the Triple Entente