Setting the Stage for War
Ch. 18 Sec 1
Factors Fueling WWI

Nationalism
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Various Ethnic groups
wanted more political
power.
Several nationalities were
ruled by a single regime.
(Austria/Hungary)
Imperialism

Competition for control of
Africa, Asia and other parts
of the world.
Factors

Militarism

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
The glorification of armed strength.
They thought that they could achieve goals through the
threat or use of force.
By late 1800’s, most nations built large armies.

Nation had to be quick to mobilize

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Prepare its army for war.
First modern battleship was launch in
1906(Dreadnought).

Germany soon built similar ships.
System of Alliances

The Triple Alliance


Bismarck fear of French revenge for losing the
Alsace-Lorraine.
Bismarck want to keep Franch diplomatically
isolated.


Keep the French and Russian from becoming Allies.
1881, Three Emperors’ League

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.

Soon Fell apart. Rivalry between AH and Russia.
Alliances

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Bismarck had Italy join
into an alliance with
Germany and Aus/Hun.
This isolated France
and gave Germany
some security for it
borders.
Agreed to remain
neutral, if the others
went to war.
Triple Entente

France was trying to avoid
isolation.
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Fr. helped Russia out of a
financial crisis.
They signed an alliance in
1894.
England soon felt pressured by
German naval build-up and
looked for an allies.
In 1907, France, England and
Russia signed the Triple Entente.
Europe was divided into two
camps
Balkan “Powder Keg”

Serbia was an independent state.


It hoped to become larger, by controlling the areas of
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Aus/Hun annexed these two provinces.

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
This angered the Serbs.
Russia also supported the Serbians in its grievance. (PanSlavism).
Great Britain was alarmed by Russian influence into this
area.



G.B. want to keep Russia out of the Mediterranean.
But, it was more of a rival to the Germans.
Russia and England signed a treaty.
The SPARK

June 28, 1914.

The heir the Aus/Hun
throne, Francis
Ferdinand visited
Sarajevo.



People in Sarajevo want
to be with Bosnia.
Gavrilo Princip
assassinated the Arch
duke.
Some Serbian officals
were implicated in the
plot.
The Ultimatum

Aus/Hun vowed to punish the Serbs.

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They were afaid that russia would become involved.
Aus/Hun made sure that Germany supported them.
An ultimatum was sent to the Serbian government.


If Serbia did not agree to all the terms of the Ultimatum, force
might be used.
Serbia agreed to all of the terms except for the last one.

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Serbia mobilized it troops.
Aus/Hun declared war on Serbia.
Russia sent troops to the Aus/Hun border to support Serbia.

They also sent troops to the German border.

Germany warned Russia not to mobilize troops on its border.
Let’s Get it ON!!!!

Aug 1 1914, Germany declared war on Russia.


Since Russia was allied with France, Germany declared
war on France.
Germany moved to defeat France first.

Germany marched into Belgium,

Belgium signed a treaty not to help any belligerents, or
warring countries.

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It agreed to stay neutral in any war.
Britain demanded Germany honor treaty.
Germany didn’t and Great Britain declared war on Germany.
Choosing up sides

Japan entered the war on the side of the Allied
Powers (GB, RUS, FR)


Italy entered on the side of the allies.


They signed a secret treaty with Allies.
The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers
(Ger, Aus/Hun).

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Wanted to gain Germany colonies in Asia.
Didn’t like Russian influence in Balkans.
Bulgaria joined the Central Powers.
How they Stood