World War I
•Causes
M.A.I.N (Acronym for
Causes)
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Militarism
Alliance
Imperialism
Nationalism
Nationalism
• Definition of Nationalism
– Nationalism is an ideology which
holds that the
• nation, ethnicity or national identity
is a fundamental unit of human social life
– Your Country is the Best
Nationalism
• Does it still occur today?
• Which countries tend to be more
nationalistic?
• Which countries are not?
Nationalism
• In the USA
– Nationalism = Patriotism
– How do you feel about the Flag?
National Anthem? Red, White and
Blue?
Nationalism
• This concepts motivates European
countries to be imperialistic.
– Each country wants to show off their
might
Europe becomes
Divided
• 2 Lose Alliances form
• What is an alliance?
– Example: TV Show “Survivor”
1st Alliance
• Known as the Triple Alliance
– Formed in 1882
– The 3 countries were Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Italy
2nd Alliance
• Known as the Triple Entente
– Formed in1907
– Countries consisted of France, Great
Britain, and Russia
Crises Test the
Alliances
• Conflicts in the Balkans
– Between 1908-1913
– Tough lessons learned
• Those that were willing to fight
– Appeared to be stronger
Conflicts in the
Balkans
• Those that were willing to fight
– Preserved national honor
Conflicts in the
Balkans
• Those that tried to avoid war
– End up being publicly humiliated
Brinkmanship
• The practice of threatening to go
to war to achieve one’s goals
• What is the problem with this kind
of foreign policy??
Brinkmanship
• Eventually somebody/ some
country is going to call out the
other
• With this type of foreign policy,
Europe was in a very fragile state
Militarism
• Definition:
– Aggressive preparation for
war
The Growth of Armies
• What problems may occur if every
country is building up their forces?
Conscription
• Also known as a military draft
– This becomes common place in all
European countries
• Only GB does not have a draft
Growing Armies
• European armies double in size
between 1890-1914
– Russia grew the largest
• 1.3 million
Growing Armies
• Military leaders become very powerful
in their countries
• They begin drafting elaborate plans
– Being able to mobilize millions of men
– Stocking up on supplies in case of war
Growing Armies
• What are the effects if countries
are seeing their neighbors
engaged in this type of activity?
Lack of Power
• Political Leaders were at the
mercy of the Military Leaders
– Forced to make decisions that
benefited the military
Balkans
• Crisis begins in 1914
• Austria-Hungary and Russia
struggle to control the new lands
– Use to be ruled by the Ottomans
Balkans
• Russia wanted to create a large,
independent Slavic state in the
Balkans
– Austria-Hungary didn’t want this to
happen
Balkans
• This becomes a very touchy area
• Europeans saw the writing on the
all.
– Most felt that it was just a matter of
time.
British Ambassador’s Thoughts
about the Situation
“Serbia will some day set Europe by the ears, and bring
about a universal war on the continent….I cannot tell how
exasperated the people are getting here at the continual
worry which that little country causes to Austria under
encouragement from Russia….It will be lucky if Europe
succeeds in avoiding war as a result of the present crisis.
The next time a Serbian crisis arises,…I feel sure that
Austria-Hungary will refuse to admit of any Russian
interference in the dispute and that she will proceed to settle
her differences with her little neighbor by herself.”
Concept of “Powder
Keg”
What does this mean?
Sarajevo
June 28, 1914
• The Black Hand
– A Serbian terrorist organization
• Wanted to assassinate Archduke
Ferdinand and his wife Sofia
• Wanted Bosnia to be free of AustrianHungarian rule
Guilt by Association
• Leaders of Austria-Hungary
concluded that Serbia had
something to do with
assassination
– Believed that Serbia needed to be
dealt with severely
Austria-Hungary
Ultimatum
• Serbia had to agree to let AustriaHungary control them
– They were only allowed 48 hours to
decide
Austria-Hungary
Ultimatum
• Serbia tried to stall
• A/H declared war on July 28th,
1914
– They began to mobilize troops
– A/H wanted war
What about the
Germans?
• Germany gave A/H full support
– They called it a “Blank Check”
– Ger. Encouraged A/H to be
aggressive
What about the
Germans?
• Germany knows that by giving A/H
their full support that Russia will
get involved
• Also realized that France would
probably get involved
– Hoped that GB would remain neutral
What about the
Germans?
• Too late to be diplomatic
– Military plans and timetables already
set into motion
• Troops are mobilized
Declaration of War
• Russia- July 29th
• Germany- Invades Belgium on
Aug. 2nd
– Violates Belgium’s state of neutrality
– Germany wanted to pass through
Bel. To get to France
Declaration of War
• Great Britain doesn’t like this at all
– Now is involved
– GB declares war
RESULT??