World War I
Causes, Alliances, and the Battles
Begin
Cause #1- Nationalism
• Definition- The
feeling that a specific
nation, language, or
culture is superior to
all others.
• Became a force for
unification in Europe
and throughout the
world
• “We are a Nation”
Cause #2 -Imperialism
• DefinitionCompetition amongst
Nations to build the
largest overseas
empires
Cause #2 Imperialism
• England, France,
Germany, Italy, and
Russia all wanted
empires overseas and
in Europe
• Tension builds
Cause #3- Militarism
• Relationships in
Europe grew more
strained
• Countries built up
their armies
aggressively
• By 1913, Germany
had the most powerful
Army in the world
New Alliances
Trying to create a “balance of power”
No one would start a war without a real advantage!
Triple Alliance member #1Germany
• In 1879 Germany
allied with AustriaHungary
Triple Alliance Member #2Austria- Hungary
• What?
• This consists of what
is now Austria and
Hungary
Triple Alliance member #3- Italy
• Joined AustriaHungary and Germany
in 1882
Triple Entente member #1France
• Concerned by
Germany’s Alliance,
France formed a
military alliance with
Russia in 1893
Triple Entente member #2Russia
• Joined with France in
1893
• Reached an
understanding with
Britain in 1907.
Triple Entente member #3Britain
• Britain feared
Germany’s growing
naval power, they
reached entente (or
understanding), 1st
with France, next with
Russia
Who are they?
• Triple Entente • Triple
France
Alliance
Russia
Britain
• Italy
• Germany
• Austria- Hungary
STAY TUNED…
For the Spark that ignited war and
beyond!
The Spark that lit the fuse.
• 1908- AustriaHungary annexed
Bosnia
• Slavic nationalists
(Bosnians)wanted to
ally with Serbia
• Black Hand- group
that used violence and
were nationalists
19 year old Black Hand member
Gaurilo Princip assassinates some
one!
• Who?
• Archduke Franz
Ferdinand (heir to
thrown of AustriaHungary)
• When?
• June 28, 1914
• Where?
• Sarajevo
Result: World War I Begins
Austria- Hungary declares war on
Serbia(Russian ally)
Everybody fulfills commitments
Central Powers
•
•
•
•
Austria- Hungary
Germany
Bulgaria
Ottoman Empire
Allied Powers
•
•
•
•
•
Britain
France
Russia
Italy
What?
COMING SOON…
THE BATTLES
BEGIN!
1st Battle of the Marne
(September 1914)
• German Army was within
25 miles of Paris
(Schlieffen Plan)
• French Troops launched a
counterattack at the Marne
River
• Germans retreated
• Trench Warfare ensues
• 200,000 + -French and
Germans killed
Battle of Verdun (February 1916December 1916)
• French Verdun- town with
Forts
• German would advance
and try to “bleed” France
to death- attack eventually
called off
• Longest WWI battle
• Over 250, 000 killed
• French determination
Battle of the Somme (July 1 to
November 18- 1916)
• Chief Ally attack
• 20,000 British killed
on first day (record)
• Goals- kill soldiers
and gain territory
• Eventually called off
2nd Battle of the Marne (July 15September 16 -1918)
• Germany’s last and
desperate offense
• U.S.A. blew up every
bridge on the Marne
that Germans built
• U.S.A.- 30, 000 killed
and wounded