CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

PRELUDE TO WWICauses of War1) Religion/Culture2) Economic expansion (resource market)3) Export of Ideology4) Advance of Frontiers (Empire Building)5) International Conflict (Drawn into a regional war)

Triggers of WarInternational tension brought on by an arms race, imperialism, militarism or some other cause.

The "Bullet" The event that begins the war, it must reflect a legitimate reason.For example an assassination, sinking of a ship, a national insult, real or perceived aggression

THE CAUSES OF WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Significant Individuals

MAINS

MILITARISM The belief or desire of a

government that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interest

It can be more simply defined as a policy of glorifying military power and standing army always prepared for war.

MILITARISM (CONTINUED) Germany was competing

with the U.K. to build battleships creating an arms race. Britain had long since

dominated the seas with their naval superiority

The British feared an attack on their empire

German unification happened in 1871 making them late to the imperial game and conflict potentially necessary.

MILITARISM (CONTINUED)

Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies

1880 1914

Germany 1.3m 5.0m

France 0.73m 4.0m

Russia 0.40m 1.2m

ALLIANCES

By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances.

The alliances made it more likely that a war would start.

Once started, the alliance made it more likely that the war would spread.

Mapping Activity

See Handout

IMPERIALISM

Countries such as the United Kingdom and France accumulated great wealth in the late 19th century through their control of trade in foreign resources, markets, territories, and people.

Other empires such as Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia all hoped to do as well in economic advantage.

Their frustrated ambitions, and British policies of strategic exclusion created tensions.

IMPERIALISM

All the great powers were competing for colonies/territory.

The British feared Germany in Africa.

This rivalry was illustrated in the Berlin-Baghdad Railway which would have given German industry access to Iraqi oil, and German trade a southern port in the Persian Gulf

The Austrians feared Serbia/Russia in the Balkans

IMPERIALISM CONTINUED:

The Fashoda Incident: Britain vs France in East Africa in

1898 caused by a French expedition to Fashoda on the White Nile sought to gain control of the Upper Nile and thereby exclude Britain from the Sudan, and possibly force the British out of Egypt as well.

Results: Ends in cordial diplomatic solution ending long standing tensions between Britain and France resulting in a settlement of long standing disputes between the two.

IMPERIALISM CONTINUED:

The Moroccan Crisis

The Moroccan Crisis of 1905/06 was an international crisis over the status of Morocco in Africa. The German goal was to use the issue of Morocco’s independence to increase tension between France and the United Kingdom as well as obtain commercial interests in the region.

Result: Germany succeeded in their stated goal of assuring Moroccan independence, but failed to attract diplomatic support for their positions at the resulting international conference. The crisis worsened German relations with both France and the United Kingdom, and helped ensure the success of the new Anglo-French Entente Cordiale. 

NATIONALISM

This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence

The vehicle by which Nationalism was furthered was imperialism/militarism

An example of this is European Slavs

Aided by Serbia and Russia, they wanted to be free of Austrian rule

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Given Germany’s geographic position in Europe,

its nationalist aims, and its context of the time period was militarization inevitable? Justifiable?

2. How did the system of alliances contribute to the outbreak of war?

3. Britain is an island with traditionally a strong navy; it used its navy to limit other imperial powers access to overseas possessions. If you were the German Kaiser and wishes to develop your overseas influence, how would you respond to Britain's naval dominance?

SIGNIFICANT INDIVIDUALS IN WWI

Although no single person can be identified as the sole catalyst of the war, there were several key figures who directly influenced the course of events prior, during and after the fighting.

KAISER WILHELM II

Built up German army and navy

Aggressive foreign policy Determined to make

Germany a top nation. Distrusted by other powers Allowed for former alliance

treaties to lapse.

“Germany must have its place in the sun”

COUNT BERCHTOLD

Austrian Prime Minister.

During the July Crisis, decided on a very tough ultimatum for Serbia

“Were the Serbs to agree to all the demands, this would not be to my liking”

ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND

Heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne

Was assassinated in Sarajevo

Assassination caused countries allied with Austria-Hungary and countries allied with Serbia to declare war on each other

THE CRISIS (JUNE 28, 1914)

Franz Ferdinand, the Heir to the Austrian throne, visits Sarajevo

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, had recently been annexed by Austria.

As a result Sarajevo was a hotbed of Slavic nationalism and anti-Austrian sentiment.

THE CRISIS (JUNE 28, 1914)

Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofie were killed in Sarajevo, by Gavrilo Princip, a member of Young Bosnia and one of a group of assassins organized by “the Black Hand”

Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists

THE CRISIS (JUNE 28, 1914)

Austrians, supported by Germany, sent Serbia a tough ultimatum.

Serbia agrees to all but one term of the ultimatum.

Russia mobilizes her troops to support Serbia Germany demands that Russia stand her

armies down. Germany declares war on Russia

WHY DID BRITAIN GET INVOLVED?

Britain had Ententes with France and Russia. Only “friendly agreements” but French and

Russians given impression Britain would fight.

The Schlieffen Plan

THE SCHLIEFFEN PLAN

Germany’s military plan to defeat France and Russia.

“Knock out blow” aimed at France first.

Avoid French defences by invasion of Belgium.

Germans thought Britain would not intervene.

THE SCHLIEFFEN PLAN

`

BRITAIN’S REACTION 1838- UK had signed a

Treaty to protect Belgium. Britain also scared of

Germany controlling Channel ports.

Did not want Germany to defeat France and dominate Europe. Britain next?

UK issued ultimatum to Germany to withdraw troops from Belgium. War declared August 4 1914

EXIT TICKET:

On July 28, 1914, 48 hours after delivering its ultimatum, (1) _____________ declared war on (2)__________________. (3)__________________, who had a defensive treaty with Serbia, mobilized its forces. On July 31, (4) _____________, assuming that France would support (5) ___________ and sworn to defend (6) ______________, declared war on Russia. (7) ____________ declared war on (8) ____________ on August 3. In hopes of a quick victory in France, (9) ___________ advanced through Belgium. Because of a defensive treaty with Belgium, (10) _____________ declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914.