World War One
Direct Cause
Sarajevo was a sleepy city in Austria-Hungary. On Sunday morning on the 28th of June, 1914, its
population were getting ready to welcome Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia. The
Archduke was an important visitor since he would one day rule the kingdom. A four-car
motorcade drove the royal couple toward the town hall. At 10am, a bomb was hurled at the
Archduke’s limousine without hurting him. The tour continued and arrived at the City Hall and the
Archduke was assured that he would be safe. But a few moments afterward nineteen-year old
Gavrilo Princip stepped up the limousine and shot both the Archduke and his wife. Both died on
the way to the hospital. Princip was apprehended soon after. He was a member of a Serbian
terrorist group called The Black Hand, who wanted the Serbian parts of Austria-Hungary to join
the independent country of Serbia, and saw the assassination as a way to achieve this goal.
This assassination is the “spark” that caused the war to begin. This is also referred to as the
“direct cause.”
July 23rd 1914 – Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia. Asking, among other things, to
allow its own officials into Serbia to ensure that its terrorist movements are crushed.
July 25th 1914 – Serbia replies, refusing to allow Austria-Hungary inspection rights.
July 28th 1914 – World War One began when Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia.
July 29th, 1914 – Russia moved its army to the border of Austria-Hungary and Germany
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Germany declares war on Russia
August 3rd, 1914 – Germany declares war on France
August 4th, 1914 – Germany invades Belgium
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Britain declares war on Germany. Canada as a colony was automatically at
war as well
BEHIND THIS DIRECT CAUSE, THERE WERE ALSO
OTHER BACKGROUND CAUSES:
Indirect Causes: #1 Alliances
Before the beginning of World War One, alliances had been formed among the European states.
They looked like this:
THE TRIPLE ENTENTE(also “the Allies)
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE (also the Central Powers)
France
Germany
Russia
Britain
Italy
Austria-Hungary
Problems with alliances:
1. Any conflict with a country protected by an alliance could expand into a much larger
conflict
2. Large conflicts involving alliances affect a large number of people.
3. Alliances can fuel hostility and conflict between countries instead of peaceful resolution.
4. Alliances breed fear because countries not protected seek the security offered by one.
Indirect Causes: #2 Imperialism
As European countries industrialized (built factories, manufacturing and buildings) toward the end
of the 1800s, weaponry for war became increasingly advanced. Therefore, the ability to invade
other countries and create empires became possible. The idea of imperialism was born.
Imperialism means a country’s desire to create an empire by invading smaller countries and
imposing on them political rule.
Through imperialism:
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European powers created colonies from which they took raw materials (iron, nickel, wood
etc.) to make themselves richer.
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They controlled the government of the colony to ensure obedience.
Empires in 1914
The Triple Entente
1. Great Britain
2. France
3. Russia
The Triple Alliance
1. Austria-Hungary
2. Germany
3. Italy
Colonies
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India,
South Africa
Northwest Africa, Far East (Vietnam)
Northern Europe – wanted the Balkans
(occupied by Austria-Hungary)
Colonies
Controlled Bosnians, Croatians,
Romanians, Bulgarians, The Czechs,
Solvaks and Poles.
Controlled some territories in Africa,
such as South- West Africa (today
Namibia). Germany wanted more
colonies, as it felt the Triple Entente had
too much imperial influence.
Controlled Libya, Albania, Ethiopia and
parts of Somalia.
Results of Imperialism:
1) Bitter resentment between countries
2) Instability in Europe
3) Threats and rivalry.
Indirect Causes: #3 Nationalism
Nationalism is an intense pride of one’s nation, meaning a strong love for one’s culture.
It is different from patriotism, which means love for one’s country. For example: an
Italian in Canada might show nationalism for Italy, but patriotism for Canada.
The problem with nationalism is that it can produce a form of racism. European countries began
to believe that not only were they superior to other countries, but that other cultures were inferior.
This also meant that countries could not have other nationalities living within. It was as though a
country must consist of only one cultural group. What Gavrillo Princip and the Serbian terrorist
group sought to achieve when they assassinated leader Franz Ferdinand was the unity of all
Serbs in one country. This included the Serbs living within Austria-Hungary.
One of the ways governments spread nationalism was through propaganda. This was
accomplished through speeches, posters and slogans, which were designed stir up people’s
emotions, pride and hate for other cultures.
Nationalism also arose a desire to break away from imperial powers and form smaller countries in
which there would be only one cultural group. At the end of the war Austria-Hungary was divided
into smaller countries such as Poland, Yugoslavia, Austria and Hungary.
Indirect Causes: #4 Militarism
Militarism means settling disputes between countries through building large armies and navies to
intimidate political neighbours.
Political leaders believed the only way to prevent war was by preparing for war. If the countries
around you believed that your country was very powerful, there was no reason to fear an attack.
However, other countries would respond by increasing the size of their militaristic force, and this
caused an arms race where all countries in Europe increasingly built up their armies and navies.
Britain was particularly concerned about Germany’s navel growth, as they had a place a policy
called the two-power standard. This meant that Britain’s navy had to be twice the size of the
second and third largest navies in the world.
Questions
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What is the direct cause of World War One?
Which countries make up the Triple Entente?
What is another name for the Triple Entente?
Which countries make up the Triple Alliance?
What is another name for the Triple Alliance?
What is an alliance?
List four problems with alliances. Write each in your own words.
What does “imperialism” mean?
How do we know that European powers used imperialism?
Give an example of a country which was colonized. Who was the imperial master?
What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism.
Give an example of how people in Canada can be both patriotic and nationalistic.
List the problems that nationalism causes.
What is propaganda and how would countries use it?
What countries were created after World War One?
What is Militarism
What is an arms race and how did it contribute to the development of World War One.
What is the two-power standard?
Do you feel the response to go to war is justified? Explain in one paragraph.
Would you fight in this war knowing its cause? Explain in one paragraph