Militarism and World War I

Militarism

• Definition: the glorification of armed strength• There was a belief that international problems

could be solved through force (i.e. Prussia)• In the late 1800s European nations built large

armies– One nation would mobilize – ready army and other

resources for combat

– Other nations would do the same to “keep up”

Militarism (continued)

• Armies grew larger as each nation did not want to be weaker than its enemies

• Spending for weapons and fortification of national boundaries multiplied

Military Preparedness

• Large portion of population received military training

• Stockpiles of weapons being created to prepare for conflict escalation of arms race

• Larger amounts of national treasuries were being directed towards military expenditures

What does militarism mean?

a) Having a big army

b) Glorification of armed strength

c) Military training for a country’s population

d) Solving problems by force

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Alliances

• 3 Emperor’s League – secret agreement of neutrality between France, Austria-Hungary, and Russia– Persuaded Italy to align with Germany and

Austria-Hungary

• Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy– Isolated France

Alliances (continued)• 3 Emperor’s League ended Russia and

Austria were rivals

• Otto von Bismarck created Reinsurance Treaty – neutrality w/ Russia again

• Great Britain and Russia recognize each others sphere’s of influence and form an alliance

• Triple Entente – Britain, Russia, France

Alliances (continued)

• Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

• Allied Powers – France, Russia, Britain, Italy, and their allies (included U.S.)

What was the agreement for the 3 Emperor’s League?

a) Protect each other if attacked

b) Help each other build arms

c) Neutrality

d) Loan each other money in crises

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Britain, Russia, France and their allies formed what alliance?

a) Triple Entente

b) Central Powers

c) Triple Alliance

d) Allied Powers

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Causes of World War I• Serbia wanted to increase size by annexing

Bosnia-Herzegovina– Russia supported Serbia

• Pan-Slavism – political and cultural unity of all Slavs under Russian leadership

• Heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Francis Ferdinand assassinated by a Serbian nationalist ***“spark” that started WWI***

• Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Causes of World War I (continued)

• Russia backs Serbia and mobilizes troops to Austro-Hungarian border

• Germany issues ultimatum on Russia to retreat– Germany declares war on Russia

– Afraid that France would side with Russia, Germany declares war on France

• Britain declares war on Germany after Germany invaded Belgium

What can be considered the “spark” that lead to WWI?

a) Serbia’s desire for Bosnia-Herzegovina

b) Russia mobilizing troops to Austro-Hungarian border

c) Germany’s ultimatum on Russia

d) Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand

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Innovations of Warfare

• Machine gun – lead to trench warfare to avoid rapid fire

• Tank – British invention, allowed them to tear through barbed wire

• Airplane – used to observe troop movements– Sometimes used for dogfights and bombings

Innovations of Warfare (continued)

• Submarines – Germans used U-Boats (underwater boat)

• Poison gas – used by Germans• Total war – nation turns all resources to aid

war effort• Propaganda – ideas, facts, rumors spread

deliberately to further one’s cause or damage an opponent

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Wilson’s 14 Points

• General Points – 1. no secret treaties 2. freedom of seas for all nations

3. removal of all econ. barriers &

tariffs

4. reduction of arms

5. fair adjustment of all colonial

territories

14. establishment of a “general

assoc. of nations”

Treaty of Versailles

• Big 4 – Wilson (US), George (UK), Orlando (Italy), Clemenceau (France)

• Territorial adjustments on Germany – Left economy vulnerable

• Restricted German army to 100,000, navy to 15,000

Discussion Question

In what ways was World War I inevitable?

Write down your thoughts and ideas to share with the class!!!