UNIT 10 – THE GREAT WAR
CHAPTER 29
THE GREAT WAR
The Great War, 1914–1918
Several factors lead to World War I, a conflict that devastates Europe and
has a major impact on the world.
Allied soldiers climbing over trenches on
first day of the costly Battle of the Somme
(July 1, 1916).
SECTION 1
Marching Toward War
SECTION 2
Europe Plunges into War
SECTION 3
A Global Conflict
SECTION 4
A Flawed Peace
OBJECTIVES
CORE OBJECTIVE: Analyze the causes and
effects of World War I.
Objective 10.1: Summarize the events that set World
War I in motion.
Objective 10.2: Describe the military events that developed on the Western and
Eastern fronts.
Objective 10.3: Analyze the how the conflict goes global and the Allies push to
victory.
Objective 10.4: Identify the effects of the Versailles treaty on European powers.
THEME: At the beginning of the 20th century, a terrible war begins
in Europe that will claim over 8 million lives.
Chapter 29 SECTION 1 –
MARCHING TOWARD WAR
In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic
feelings, and rival alliances set the stage
for a continental war.
CAUSES OF WWI
Imperialism
Competition for colonies stirs mistrust among European nations
Militarism
Mutual animosity spurs European countries to engage in arms race
Militarism — policy of glorifying military power, preparing army
Nationalism
One type of nationalism inspired the great powers of Europe to act in
their own interests. EX: gaining land to feel powerful
Another emerged as ethnic minorities within larger nations sought selfgovernment. EX: Serbia wants to merge with Bosnia for an empire.
Alliances
In a complicated system of alliances, different groups of European
nations had pledged to come to one another’s aid in the event of
attack.
RISING TENSIONS
The Rise of Nationalism
Europe enjoys peace in late 1800s but problems lie below surface
Growing nationalism leads to competition among nations
Nationalism in the Balkans leads many groups to demand independence
Germany
Under Otto von Bismark the 25 German states were united into
the German Empire in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War.
Germany takes land from France.
The ‘Iron Chancellor’ Otto von Bismarck focused on maintaining cordial
relations with the other European powers.
THE TRIPLE
ENTENTE
Germany’s Otto von Bismarck works to keep peace
in Europe after 1871
Believes France wants revenge for loss in 1870
Franco-Prussian War
Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes German ruler
in 1888; Bismarck was replaced and policy
shifted to aggressive expansion.
Foreign policy changes begin in 1890 with
dismissal of Bismarck
alliance with Russia dropped; Russia then allies
with France
effort to strengthen German navy, which alarms
Britain
In response: Britain, France, Russia form
Triple Entente alliance in 1907
•Austrian-Hungarian Empire
controlled several ethic groups.
•Many groups in Balkans win
independence during early 1900s
Saravejo
•New nation of Serbia made up
largely of Slavs
•Serbian nationalists wanted to
unite Serbs who lived in the
Austrian-Hungarian Empire with
Serbia.
•Austria-Hungary annexes Slavic
region Bosnia and Herzegovina
(1908)
•Serbia outraged, sees itself as
rightful ruler of these Slavic lands
FRANZ FERDINAND
The immediate event sparking the
Great War was the assassination of
Archduke Francis Ferdinand in
Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914.
Member of the
Black Hand, a
Serbian
nationalists
group
Garvillo Princip, a Serbian
nationalist assassinated the
Archduke. He was trying to gain
allowances for his fellow Serbs who
lived under Austrian rule.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family.
Archduke was heir to the throne in the
Austrian Hungarian Empire. His
assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led
to WWI.
THE ASSASSINATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCTIaiiGB4o
GREAT WAR SPARKED
At the time of his assassination, Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of
the Austro-Hungarian Empire, had been visiting Bosnia, a new AustroHungarian province.
Convinced that Serbia was behind the Archduke’s assassination,
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
Russia, as Serbia’s protector, began mobilization, or the readying of troops
for war.
Germany, an ally of Austria declares war on Russia on August 1.
France, Russia’s ally will join the war a few days later. Britain will join by the
end of August.
Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Central Powers
Russia, France, Serbia, and Great Britain were called the Allies.
The War in Europe, 1914–1918
When Austria-Hungary
declared war on Serbia, the
complex alliance system in
Europe drew much of the
continent into the conflict.
THE CAUSES OF WWI
Causes and the Assassination of the Archduke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njINCi9iIrA
Causes of wwi
History.com video
http://www.history.com/videos/causes-of-world-war-i
The Road to War—Assessment
Which of the following was a cause of World War I?
(A) Rising nationalism in European nations
(B) Decrease in militarism among European powers
(C) Pro-German propaganda in Britain
(D) United States support of the Central Powers
Why did the United States proclaim its neutrality in August 1914?
(A) To please supporters of both sides
(B) To protect its overseas investments
(C) To allow time for preparedness
(D) To aid Great Britain
The Road to War—Assessment
Which of the following was a cause of World War I?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Rising nationalism in European nations
Decrease in militarism among European powers
Pro-German propaganda in Britain
United States support of the Central Powers
Why did the United States proclaim its neutrality in August 1914?
(A) To please supporters of both sides
(B) To protect its overseas investments
(C) To allow time for preparedness
(D) To aid Great Britain