World War One:
Causes – M.A.N.I.A.
1. MILITARISM
This was a belief by European nations that it was
acceptable to solve their disputes by military action. It
meant keeping a large scale army that was ready to go to
war at any time.
2. ALLIANCE SYSTEMS
Triple Entente- Britain, France, Russia & Serbia
Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy (which is later
replaced by the Ottoman Empire)
Rather than discouraging the chance of war, the alliance
systems increased the chance of war on a large scale.
There could not be a small dispute among competing
alliances.
The countries of Europe thought that the alliance system would act
as a deterrent to war.
In fact, it tied the countries together so that when one country went
to war the other felt obliged to follow.
3. NATIONALISM
European nations felt such pride in their countries that
they were willing to fight and die for their homeland. This
created tension in Europe because each nation was trying
to prove its superiority over other countries.
4. IMPERIALISM
This was a desire by European nations to expand their
borders and control other nations. Land equaled power at
this time. This competition for land had the potential to
lead to war.
5. Assassination – “The Trigger”- The
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
• In 1914 the city of Sarajevo was part of AustriaHungary
•Many Serbian nationalists – people who felt strongly
patriotic about their homeland – believed that they
shared strong religious, cultural and ethnic ties with the
people of Sarajevo.
•Serbia was passionate about taking over Sarajevo.
•
•Gavrillo Princip: a member of a
Serbian Nationalist group called
the Black Hand.
•The Black Hand had secretly
planned to assassinate the heir to
the Austro-Hungarian empire on
his visit to Sarajevo.
•The successful assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
changed history forever…
Summary - These are the remote and
immediate (indirect and direct) causes of
WWI.
M – Militarism
A – Alliance Systems
N – Nationalism
I – Imperialism
A - Assassination