Causes of World Causes of World War IWar IPart 2Part 2

Cause #2 – Militarism:Cause #2 – Militarism:ItalyItaly

The army was a symbol of ItalyThe army was a symbol of Italy’’s unity and s unity and status as a Great Powerstatus as a Great Power

Italy engaged in a military and naval arms Italy engaged in a military and naval arms race, primarily against Austria-Hungary and race, primarily against Austria-Hungary and FranceFrance

They were to have a superiority of 2:1.6 They were to have a superiority of 2:1.6 dreadnoughts over Austriadreadnoughts over Austria

Throughout the 1890s, Italian generals had Throughout the 1890s, Italian generals had planned for war with France, but also with planned for war with France, but also with Austria-Hungary. Annual maneuvers began to Austria-Hungary. Annual maneuvers began to be held in the Alpsbe held in the Alps

Cause #2 – Militarism:Cause #2 – Militarism:RussiaRussia

Knew that if they had Knew that if they had war, they would have to war, they would have to face war against face war against Germany and Austria-Germany and Austria-HungaryHungary

Believed they were the Believed they were the overseer of the Slavs in overseer of the Slavs in the Balkansthe Balkans

Approved huge army and Approved huge army and naval increases in 1913naval increases in 1913

Cause #2 – Militarism:Cause #2 – Militarism:RussiaRussia

Plan 19 – The plan for a war against Plan 19 – The plan for a war against Germany and Austria-Hungary. If Germany and Austria-Hungary. If Germany attacked France, Russia Germany attacked France, Russia would send 9 army corps against would send 9 army corps against Germany and 16 army corps to attack Germany and 16 army corps to attack Austria-Hungary. It was based on the Austria-Hungary. It was based on the assumption that Germany would be assumption that Germany would be too busy in the west to intervene too busy in the west to intervene effectively on the eastern fronteffectively on the eastern front

Cause #2 – Cause #2 – Militarism:Militarism:

FranceFrance Wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine and have Wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine and have

colonies in Africacolonies in Africa Extended compulsory military service from 2-Extended compulsory military service from 2-

3 years3 years Increased naval expendituresIncreased naval expenditures Plan XVII – Developed by Ferdinand Foch Plan XVII – Developed by Ferdinand Foch

following the Franco-Prussian War and following the Franco-Prussian War and continued by Joseph Joffre. Hoped that once continued by Joseph Joffre. Hoped that once a German invasion through Alsace occurred, a German invasion through Alsace occurred, an all-out attack on the diverted German an all-out attack on the diverted German forces (because they would be engaged in the forces (because they would be engaged in the East by Russia) would achieve a quick winEast by Russia) would achieve a quick win

Cause #3 – NationalismCause #3 – Nationalism

Why nationalism?Why nationalism? Competition between countries for Competition between countries for

coloniescolonies Competition to be the greatest powerCompetition to be the greatest power Competition to have the biggest army Competition to have the biggest army

and navyand navy War unifies your countryWar unifies your country Social darwinism – your race is the best Social darwinism – your race is the best

and your country deserves preeminent and your country deserves preeminent statusstatus

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:GermanyGermany

Kaiser Wilhelm IIKaiser Wilhelm II Was emperorWas emperor Was intelligent, but highly Was intelligent, but highly

emotional and emotional and unpredictableunpredictable

Had a need to show Had a need to show himself equal of his himself equal of his British relativesBritish relatives

Believed in social Believed in social darwinismdarwinism

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:GermanyGermany

Election of 1912Election of 1912 More Social Democrats, Progressives, and Center More Social Democrats, Progressives, and Center

parties were elected to the Reichstag. They parties were elected to the Reichstag. They wanted reforms that would limit the power of the wanted reforms that would limit the power of the king and deter warking and deter war

Conservatives, militarists, and Wilhelm became Conservatives, militarists, and Wilhelm became concerned and wanted to defeat democratic concerned and wanted to defeat democratic socialismsocialism

They started to want war to keep in power and They started to want war to keep in power and started to fear that Germany wouldnstarted to fear that Germany wouldn’’t be a great t be a great powerpower

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:GermanyGermany

Their Austrian ally was in getting weaker Their Austrian ally was in getting weaker because of disputes among the because of disputes among the nationalities in their empirenationalities in their empire

Russia had recovered from their defeat Russia had recovered from their defeat against Japan and was getting strongeragainst Japan and was getting stronger

RussiaRussia’’s protégés in the Balkans were s protégés in the Balkans were increasing in strength after their victory increasing in strength after their victory in the first Balkan warin the first Balkan war

After the elections of 1912, more Social After the elections of 1912, more Social Democrats were in the Reichstag than Democrats were in the Reichstag than ever beforeever before

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:GermanyGermany

All of this contributed to the All of this contributed to the thinking that war was needed now thinking that war was needed now if Germany was to maintain their if Germany was to maintain their status as a great powerstatus as a great power

The Kaiser and his staff The Kaiser and his staff contributed to a warlike mood in contributed to a warlike mood in the country because they saw war the country because they saw war as the only way to unify the as the only way to unify the country and maintain the status of country and maintain the status of the elitethe elite

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary

Constitutional Settlement of 1867Constitutional Settlement of 1867 Linked Austria with HungaryLinked Austria with Hungary

Dualism was seen as a device for Dualism was seen as a device for excluding the Slav majority from their excluding the Slav majority from their rightful and equal place in the empirerightful and equal place in the empire

By dividing the empire, the Magyars By dividing the empire, the Magyars (Hungarians) and Germans (Austrians) (Hungarians) and Germans (Austrians) constituted the majority, each in their constituted the majority, each in their own half. The majority of the 21 million own half. The majority of the 21 million Slavs in the empire as a whole was thus Slavs in the empire as a whole was thus turned into minoritiesturned into minorities

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:AustriaAustria

All these nationalities All these nationalities would cause would cause problems because problems because they wanted their they wanted their autonomyautonomy

The thinking was if The thinking was if Austria allowed them Austria allowed them to have it, they would to have it, they would no longer be a great no longer be a great powerpower

Ethnic Distribution In Austria:

-Germany 24%

-Hungarian 20%

-Czech 13%

-Polish 10%

-Ruthenian 8%

-Romanian 6%

-Croat 5%

-Slovak 4%

-Serb 4%

-Slovene 3%

-Italian 3%

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:FranceFrance

In France in 1912, a tough nationalist, named In France in 1912, a tough nationalist, named Raymond Poincare, became premier and Raymond Poincare, became premier and president the following year. He saw two president the following year. He saw two choices:choices:

Give in the German demands and abandon Give in the German demands and abandon FranceFrance’’s status as a great power (as in the s status as a great power (as in the Morocco crisis)Morocco crisis)

Strengthen her own forces and draw closer Strengthen her own forces and draw closer to Russia (even at the risk of being sucked to Russia (even at the risk of being sucked into a war that was purely in the interest of into a war that was purely in the interest of Russia – i.e.- Balkans)Russia – i.e.- Balkans)

He never wanted to be at the mercy of He never wanted to be at the mercy of GermanyGermany

Cause #3 – Nationalism:Cause #3 – Nationalism:SerbiaSerbia

Serbian ambitions to make Serbia Serbian ambitions to make Serbia ““the the Piedmont of the southern SlavsPiedmont of the southern Slavs”” would would cause unrest from Serbs and Croats cause unrest from Serbs and Croats living inside Austria-Hungaryliving inside Austria-Hungary

Serbia had grown nationalistic due to Serbia had grown nationalistic due to their wins in the Balkans Warstheir wins in the Balkans Wars

Serbia also felt nationalistic due to Serbia also felt nationalistic due to their support from Russia, who felt as if their support from Russia, who felt as if they were the overseers of the Slavs they were the overseers of the Slavs since they had ethnic ties with themsince they had ethnic ties with them

Cause #4 – ImperialismCause #4 – Imperialism Why imperialism?Why imperialism?

Countries believed that to remain a Countries believed that to remain a great nation, or become one, you must great nation, or become one, you must colonizecolonize

Colonial expansion might produce Colonial expansion might produce greater power from increased wealth greater power from increased wealth and populationand population

You would obtain more natural You would obtain more natural resources & marketsresources & markets

Cause #4 – ImperialismCause #4 – Imperialism

Why imperialism?Why imperialism? Could make a fortune on gold, diamonds, Could make a fortune on gold, diamonds,

coffee, rubber, etc. or could invest in coffee, rubber, etc. or could invest in railway or telegraph systemsrailway or telegraph systems

Those powers that possessed no colonies, Those powers that possessed no colonies, like Italy and Germany, began to feel that like Italy and Germany, began to feel that they should have some, on the grounds of they should have some, on the grounds of prestige and to provide a rallying point for prestige and to provide a rallying point for national feelings at homenational feelings at home

The Middle East became a source of tension The Middle East became a source of tension for the new oil-driven dreadnoughtsfor the new oil-driven dreadnoughts

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:ItalyItaly

Believed that they must assert their Believed that they must assert their influence to be a modern Great Powerinfluence to be a modern Great Power

Sent a force to the Turkish province of Sent a force to the Turkish province of Tripoli in North AfricaTripoli in North Africa

During the war with Italy, the Turks During the war with Italy, the Turks closed the Straits of Constantinople, closed the Straits of Constantinople, causing Russiacausing Russia’’s trade to suffers trade to suffer

This caused the acquisition of the Straits This caused the acquisition of the Straits to be the main aim of Russian foreign to be the main aim of Russian foreign policypolicy

Cause #4 – Cause #4 – Imperialism:Imperialism:

AustriaAustria Austria and Serbia Austria and Serbia

both competed both competed over Bosniaover Bosnia

Russia competed Russia competed for the Balkans for the Balkans because they had because they had ethnic ties to the ethnic ties to the regionregion

Italy competed for Italy competed for the Balkans due to the Balkans due to their proximity and their proximity and Italians living thereItalians living there

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:GermanyGermany

In 1903, German railroad promoters In 1903, German railroad promoters were backed by the German government were backed by the German government and Kaiser, who ever since his visit to and Kaiser, who ever since his visit to Constantinople in 1898, posed as the Constantinople in 1898, posed as the friend and protector of Turkeyfriend and protector of Turkey

The Russians were opposed to the idea. The Russians were opposed to the idea. They believed that the Baghdad railway They believed that the Baghdad railway might damage existing French railway might damage existing French railway interests in Syria because of rival interests in Syria because of rival Turkish orders between Germany and Turkish orders between Germany and FranceFrance

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:GermanyGermany

The fear of Germany threatening The fear of Germany threatening India or gaining some control over India or gaining some control over the Middle East led to Britainthe Middle East led to Britain’’s s alliance with Russiaalliance with Russia

The Turks made a secret treaty with The Turks made a secret treaty with Germany the day after the Germany Germany the day after the Germany declared war on Russia for a declared war on Russia for a guarantee of their territorial integrityguarantee of their territorial integrity

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:RussiaRussia

Regarded their expansion and control of Regarded their expansion and control of territories on the periphery of their territories on the periphery of their empire as natural and necessaryempire as natural and necessary

They believed that the interest of frontier They believed that the interest of frontier security and trade relations required that security and trade relations required that the more civilized state acquire a certain the more civilized state acquire a certain power over its neighborspower over its neighbors

Wanted the Straits of Constantinople and Wanted the Straits of Constantinople and to protect the Slavic peoples in the to protect the Slavic peoples in the BalkansBalkans

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:BritainBritain

BritainBritain’’s ability to maintain its place as the s ability to maintain its place as the strongest imperial power was very important; strongest imperial power was very important; itit’’s preservation was a matter of life or deaths preservation was a matter of life or death

They believed that military arms were not They believed that military arms were not only for the benefit of Britain, but to maintain only for the benefit of Britain, but to maintain the Empire and to protect tradethe Empire and to protect trade

World trade and an open economy was key to World trade and an open economy was key to BritainBritain’’s prosperitys prosperity

They stressed the British right to rule and the They stressed the British right to rule and the superiority of the British race over all otherssuperiority of the British race over all others

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:BritainBritain

BritainBritain’’s crown jewel was India, so that s crown jewel was India, so that prompted the entente with Russia; if they lost prompted the entente with Russia; if they lost India, they would lose their preeminence in India, they would lose their preeminence in the worldthe world

The Middle East market was threatened by The Middle East market was threatened by Germany and ItalyGermany and Italy

With imperial interests in India and the With imperial interests in India and the Persian Gulf, Britain hoped that an alliance Persian Gulf, Britain hoped that an alliance with Russia would check Germanywith Russia would check Germany ’’s ambitions s ambitions in the Middle East and Indiain the Middle East and India

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:FranceFrance

Although France was really declining, Although France was really declining, French governments followed French governments followed expansionist aims overseas and refused expansionist aims overseas and refused to be intimidatedto be intimidated

They added to the empire in North Africa They added to the empire in North Africa (Tunis was added to Algeria) and in (Tunis was added to Algeria) and in eastern Asia in Indo-Chinaeastern Asia in Indo-China

In 1905, Germany loomed as the biggest In 1905, Germany loomed as the biggest obstacle to French colonial ambitions and obstacle to French colonial ambitions and Britain became the friendBritain became the friend

France wanted to acquire Alsace-France wanted to acquire Alsace-Lorraine and establish control over Lorraine and establish control over Morocco w/o Germany interferenceMorocco w/o Germany interference

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:Morocco Crisis Part IMorocco Crisis Part I

Germany and France both had rights in Germany and France both had rights in MoroccoMorocco

The Kaiser made a dramatic visit to The Kaiser made a dramatic visit to Tangier in 1905 and promised to support Tangier in 1905 and promised to support the Sultan of Morocco against the Frenchthe Sultan of Morocco against the French

The objective was to frighten Britain and The objective was to frighten Britain and France out of their recent allianceFrance out of their recent alliance

However, the Germans gained nothing However, the Germans gained nothing and rather the British and French began and rather the British and French began talking about military cooperationtalking about military cooperation

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:Morocco Crisis Part IIMorocco Crisis Part II

The Kaiser was annoyed The Kaiser was annoyed because this was not his because this was not his intention, so he withdrew intention, so he withdrew and was compensated by and was compensated by France with African France with African territory relinquished to territory relinquished to GermanyGermany

This setback only This setback only reinforced Germanyreinforced Germany’’s s desired to become desired to become strongerstronger

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:Morocco Crisis Part IIMorocco Crisis Part II

In 1911, a German In 1911, a German gunboat was sent to gunboat was sent to Agadir in Morocco Agadir in Morocco to frighten the to frighten the French (Gunboat French (Gunboat Diplomacy)Diplomacy)

The British would The British would stand by France if stand by France if Germany attacked Germany attacked herher

Cause #4 – Imperialism:Cause #4 – Imperialism:ConsequencesConsequences

French fears of Germany were strengthenedFrench fears of Germany were strengthened Led to an anti-French feeling in GermanyLed to an anti-French feeling in Germany Since Britain drew closer to France, Germany drew Since Britain drew closer to France, Germany drew

closer to Austriacloser to Austria Britain drew up military plans to land a British army Britain drew up military plans to land a British army

of 150,000 men in France if Germany invaded of 150,000 men in France if Germany invaded FranceFrance

French army appropriations were increased; service French army appropriations were increased; service in the French army was lengthened from 2-3 years to in the French army was lengthened from 2-3 years to meet the difference between Francemeet the difference between France’’s and Germanys and Germany’’s s armyarmy