Causes and Conflict

WORLD WAR I

MAIN

THE FOUR MAIN CAUSES OF WWI

The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army mobilized (or ready for battle)

The build-up of military arms or ARMS RACE.

Why could this contribute to war?

MILITARISM:

A close association of nations ; nations agree to protect each other.

Why could this contribute to war?

ALLIANCES:

Countries in Europe were all fighting for control over other areas.

Why could this contribute to war?

IMPERIALISM

Believing in the supremacy of your nation.

Why might this contribute to war?

NATIONALISM

Step 1: Read the handout in front of you and take notes on the worksheet for:What is the cause?, What is it? (definition), notes on the main events, and why did it lead to war?

Step 2: At your table group, share what you learned with your table group.They will take notes from you.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR 1 WORKSHEET

Used war to unite Germany and create a larger empire

Then wanted to maintain peace in EuropeSaw France as the biggest threat to Germany

OTTO VON BISMARCK

He decided to isolate France by allying with other countries “As long as it is without

allies, France poses no danger to us.”

1879: Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Italy joined. This was the TRIPLE ALLIANCE

BISMARCK'S PLAN

In 1881, Bismarck made a treaty with Russia

GERMANY CONTINUES TO MAKE ALLIES

New ruler of GermanyForced Bismarck to resign

Wanted to show the world how mighty Germany wasExtremely proud of Germany’s army

“I and the army were born for one another”

KAISER WILHELM II

Let the treaty with Russia lapse in 1890Russia then formed an alliance with France in 1892

Why would this make any potential war particularly diffi cult for Germany?

WILHELM'S ACTIONS

In 1907, Britain allied with France and RussiaNow there were two sides:

THE TRIPLE ENTENTE

The Triple Alliance

GermanyAustria-HungaryItaly

The Triple Entente

Great BritainFranceRussia

Austro-Hungarian Franz Ferdinand was shotJune 28, 1914

Austria used this as an excuse to punish Serbia

Austria declared war on Serbia

THE SPARK

Russia, an ally of Serbia, mobilized its troops to defend SerbiaOther countries – Italy, Germany – urged Austria and Russia to negotiate

But it was too late…

RUSSIA GETS INVOLVED…

Russia expected that if they defended Serbia, Germany would defend Austria Russia mobilized along the German border as well as along

the Austrian borderGermany decided this was a declaration of war

Germany then declared war on Russia

EVERYONE GETS INVOLVED…

Germany didn’t even wait to see if France would defend Russia Instantly declared war on France as well

France was now in the war

Great Britain then joined as well

GERMANY JUMPS IN WITH BOTH FEET

By August of 1914:

BATTLE LINES WERE DRAWN

CENTRAL POWERS:

GermanyAustria-Hungary

ALLIED POWERS:

Great BritainFranceRussia

Japan joins…

Italy joined later.

Soldiers marched off to warMost people thought it would be a short war

Home by Christmas.

LATE SUMMER 1914

1. Why might Germany and Austria-Hungary have a particularly diffi cult time in this war?

2. In which countries was most of the war fought?3. Why might the war last longer than people had

anticipated? List two reasons.

MAKING PREDICTIONS WITH THE MAP…