Causes of World War I
Mrs. Eckert
World History
Chapter 17.1 and 17.2
Long Term Causes
• Rise of Nationalism- Pride in ones own nation;
desire for independence
• Various minority ethnic groups who were living
under the rule of larger countries wanted to
form their own countries
• Examples
–
–
–
–
Poles- split, and under 3 separate nations
Serbs- split, some Serbians under Austria-Hungary
Czechs- want independence from Austria-Hungary
Bulgaria- wants independence from Ottoman Empire
Long Term Causes continued
• Militarism- national policy based on military
strength and glorification of war
• Examples
– Build up of arms by countries all around the world
– Build up of naval power by all major countries
(Notable countries include
Great Britain, France, Germany, United States,
Russia, Japan, Italy)
Long term causes continued
• Imperialism -domination of the political,
economic, and social life of another country
Examples:
– Russia and Japan fight over Korea (Russo/Japanese War)
– Germany and Great Britain nearly fought over
colonizing Africa and the Middle East
– France and Germany fought over Alsace and Lorraine
(Franco/Prussian War)
– Austria/Hungary and Russia fought over control of
Slavic groups ( Crimean War and Balkan Wars)
Long Term Causes continued
• Alliances- signing treaties to help defend each
other if attacked
– Three Emperors’ League united Germany, AustriaHungary and Russia
– Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary.,
and Italy
– Triple Entente united Russia, France, Great Britain
Immediate Cause
• Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
– June 28, 1914 While visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia
– He was the heir to Austrian throne
• Shot by Gavrilo Princip from Serbia
– He was a member of a secret society called The Black Hand
• This caused a diplomatic crisis.
• WAR COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT
THE ALLIANCES GOT IN THE WAY
Timeline starting the war
June 28, 1914
Assassination of
Archduke Francis
Ferdinand
July 23, 1914
Austria-Hungary
gives Serbia
ultimatum
July 25, 1914
Serbia refuses to let
Austrian inspectors
into Serbia
The US will not
join the war
until 1917
July 28, 1914
Austria-Hungary
declares war on
Serbia
July 30, 1914 Russia
declares war on
Austria-Hungary
July 31, 1914
Germany gives
Russia an
ultimatum to cancel
mobilization
August 1, 1914
Germany declares
war on Russia and 2
days later declares
war on France
Germany invades
Belgium to get to
France
Great Britain
declares war on
Germany for
invading Belgium