• By the early 1900s many efforts were underway to end war Europe
– 1896 Olympic Games in Athens
– Creation of the Nobel Peace Prize
– Universal Peace Conference of 1899

Explosive Material for World War I

I:
N:
M:
A:

Explosive Material for World War I
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)

• At the same time major struggles took place between France, Germany and other new nations
• France is still bitter after the lose of land caused by the Franco-Prussian War
• Pan-Slavism brings the nationalist movement to the Baltic States

Explosive Material for World War I
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Austria and Russia competing for influence in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)

• 1905 and 1911 competition for colonies once again caused conflicts with Germany and France
• Growth of Germany starts to put fear in the
British government
– Great Britain started to support France
– Social Darwinism pushes military growth

Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Austria and Russia competing for influence in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)

• Triple Alliance
– 1882 Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungry
• Triple Entente
– 1894 France and Russia
– 1904 France and Britain signed an entente lead a military pack
– Britain soon signed a entente with Russia

Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia competing for influence in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)

Building up armed forces, getting ready for war
• Britain’s large navy struck fear in Europe
• France wanted revenge on Germany because of the loss in the Franco-Prussian War.
• Germany wanted to build a stronger military to help increase imperialistic ideas
– Britain did not like this idea

Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia competing for influence in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
The Match: The assassination at
Sarajevo

• June 28 Archduke and Heir to the Austrian thrown Francis Ferdinand and his wife took a visit to the Capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo
• June 28 is a special date in Serbian History
– 1389 Serbia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire
– 1912 Serbia Frees themselves from Turkish Rule

• Serbian Terrorist group the Black Hand successfully assassinated the Archduke and his wife
• Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph was outraged but he was hesitate to go to war
– However his Government wanted to destroy the Serbian government

• Austria sent the Serbs an ultimatum
– Serbia only agreed to a couple of the ultimatums
– July 28, 1914 Austria declares was on Serbia
• Germany supports Austria
– Germany supports the harsh stand on the Serbs and promises to back the Austrians War
• Russia supports the Serbs
– Russia begins to mobilize in order to support their little Slavic brother
– Russia asks for France to help
• France sees it as a chance get back at Germany for the Franco-
Prussian War

Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia competing for influence in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
Germany’s war plan was not flexible
The Match: The assassination at
Sarajevo

• General Alfred von Schlieffen had developed a plan to avoid a two front war
• Schlieffen’s plan was to invade France and win a quick battle, then turn to Russia
• The plan to invade France meant a trip through
Belgium
– Belgium was supported by England and on August 3 rd
Germany invaded Belgium and England Declared
War on Germany