Causes of World Causes of World War 1War 1

“ “ silly generals and pedantic silly generals and pedantic diplomats”diplomats”A J P TaylorA J P Taylor

1879The Dual Alliance

                                       

Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect

themselves from Russia

1881Austro-Serbian

Alliance

                                    Austria-Hungary made

an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining

control of Serbia

1882The Triple Alliance

                                       

 Germany and Austria- Hungary made an

alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides

with Russia

1914Triple Entente (no separate peace)

                                    Britain, Russia and

France agreed not to sign for peace

separately.

                                

                                                      

1894Franco-Russian

Alliance

                                     Russia formed an

alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-

Hungary

1907Triple Entente

                                       

 This was made between Russia, France and

Britain to counter the increasing threat from

Germany.

1907Anglo-Russian Entente

                                       

This was an agreement between Britain and

Russia

1904Entente Cordiale

                                       

This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance,

between France and Britain.

An Historians View- Robert An Historians View- Robert WolfsenWolfsen

““Countries sought and made allies Countries sought and made allies for defensive purposes and the for defensive purposes and the settlement of outstanding disputes settlement of outstanding disputes between them…..they were not , between them…..they were not , openly formed for offensive purposes openly formed for offensive purposes to harm or attack other countries.” to harm or attack other countries.” Years of Change Years of Change

Alliance SystemAlliance System

The Tangled Web- Identify the countries/personalities depicted?

ImperialismImperialism Lenin famously asserted that the famously asserted that the

worldwide system of worldwide system of imperialism was responsible for the war was responsible for the war Imperialism Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and makes them subject to their rule. By 1900 the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa. With the rise of industrialism countries needed new markets. The amount of lands 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany who had entered the scramble to acquire colonies late and only had small areas of Africa

A Slice of the African A Slice of the African CakeCake

MilitarismMilitarism Militarism means that the army and military forces are Militarism means that the army and military forces are

given a high profile by the government. The growing given a high profile by the government. The growing European divide had led to an arms race between the European divide had led to an arms race between the main countries. The armies of both France and Germany main countries. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914 and had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914 and there was fierce competition between Britain and there was fierce competition between Britain and Germany for mastery of the seas. The British had Germany for mastery of the seas. The British had introduced the 'Dreadnought', an effective battleship, in introduced the 'Dreadnought', an effective battleship, in 1906. The Germans soon followed suit introducing their 1906. The Germans soon followed suit introducing their own battleships. The German, Von Schlieffen also drew own battleships. The German, Von Schlieffen also drew up a plan of action that involved attacking France up a plan of action that involved attacking France through Belgium if Russia made an attack on through Belgium if Russia made an attack on Germany. The map below shows how the plan was to Germany. The map below shows how the plan was to work.work.

Comparative figures on army increase, 1870-1914:

1870 1914

Russia 700,000 1,300,000

France 380,000 846,000

Germany 403,000 812,000

Austria-Hungary 247,000 424,000

Britain 302,000 381,000

Italy 334,000 305,000

Japan 70,000 250,000

U.S.A. 37,000 98,000

Schlieffen PlanSchlieffen Plan

Arms RaceArms Race

HMS DREADNOUGHT

NationalismNationalism   Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the

rights and interests of one's country. The Congress of rights and interests of one's country. The Congress of Vienna, held after Napoleon's exile to Elba, aimed to Vienna, held after Napoleon's exile to Elba, aimed to sort out problems in Europe. Delegates from Britain, sort out problems in Europe. Delegates from Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the winning allies) decided Austria, Prussia and Russia (the winning allies) decided upon a new Europe that left both Germany and Italy as upon a new Europe that left both Germany and Italy as divided states. Strong nationalist elements led to the divided states. Strong nationalist elements led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. The settlement at the end of the Franco-Prussian war The settlement at the end of the Franco-Prussian war left France angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to left France angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and keen to regain their lost territory. Large Germany and keen to regain their lost territory. Large areas of both Austria-Hungary and Serbia were home areas of both Austria-Hungary and Serbia were home to differing nationalist groups, all of whom wanted to differing nationalist groups, all of whom wanted freedom from the states in which they lived.freedom from the states in which they lived.

FlashpointFlashpoint Moroccan CrisisMoroccan Crisis   In 1904 Morocco had been given to France by In 1904 Morocco had been given to France by

Britain, but the Moroccans wanted their Britain, but the Moroccans wanted their independence. In 1905, Germany announced her independence. In 1905, Germany announced her support for Moroccan independence. War was support for Moroccan independence. War was narrowly avoided by a conference which allowed narrowly avoided by a conference which allowed France to retain possession of Morocco. However, France to retain possession of Morocco. However, in 1911, the Germans were again protesting in 1911, the Germans were again protesting against French possession of Morocco. Britain against French possession of Morocco. Britain supported France and Germany was persuaded to supported France and Germany was persuaded to back down for part of French Congo.back down for part of French Congo.

FlashpointFlashpoint Bosnian CrisisBosnian Crisis   In 1908, Austria-Hungary took over the former Turkish In 1908, Austria-Hungary took over the former Turkish

province of Bosnia. This angered Serbians who felt the province of Bosnia. This angered Serbians who felt the province should be theirs. Serbia threatened Austria-province should be theirs. Serbia threatened Austria-Hungary with war, Russia, allied to Serbia, mobilised its Hungary with war, Russia, allied to Serbia, mobilised its forces. Germany, allied to Austria-Hungary mobilised its forces. Germany, allied to Austria-Hungary mobilised its forces and prepared to threaten Russia. War was forces and prepared to threaten Russia. War was avoided when Russia backed down. There was, however, avoided when Russia backed down. There was, however, war in the Balkans between 1911 and 1912 when the war in the Balkans between 1911 and 1912 when the Balkan states drove Turkey out of the area. The states Balkan states drove Turkey out of the area. The states then fought each other over which area should belong to then fought each other over which area should belong to which state. Austria-Hungary then intervened and which state. Austria-Hungary then intervened and forced Serbia to give up some of its acquisitions. forced Serbia to give up some of its acquisitions. Tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary was high.Tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary was high.

Political TensionsPolitical Tensions There is no single explanation for the There is no single explanation for the

apparent willingness of the nations of apparent willingness of the nations of Europe to go to war in 1914. The political Europe to go to war in 1914. The political tensions that preceded the war, however is tensions that preceded the war, however is often said to be caused by the following often said to be caused by the following factors;factors;

Colonial rivalryColonial rivalry Economic rivalryEconomic rivalry The arms raceThe arms race French and German hostilitiesFrench and German hostilities European military alliancesEuropean military alliances NationalismNationalism

Archduke Franz Ferdinand's Assassination, 28 June 1914Updated - Sunday, 3 November, 2002The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on 28 June 1914, set in train a series of diplomatic events that led inexorably to the outbreak of war in Europe at the end of July 1914.Ferdinand - and his wife Sophie - were killed by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip while on a formal visit to Sarajevo.  Princip shot Ferdinand at point blank range while the latter was travelling in his car from a town hall reception, having earlier that day already survived one assassination attempt

Critical Flashpoint

AlliesBritain ( and its Empire )

FranceRussia

BelgiumItaly

USA( JOINED IN 1917)Serbia, Portugal

Japanand other minor participants

Central PowersGermany

Austria HungaryOttoman-Turkey

Bulgaria

Countdown to World WarCountdown to World War June 1914 Franz Duke Ferdinand, heir to the June 1914 Franz Duke Ferdinand, heir to the

Austrian throne assassinatedAustrian throne assassinated 2828thth July Austria Hungary declare war on July Austria Hungary declare war on

Serbia. France and Russia back SerbiaSerbia. France and Russia back Serbia 3030thth July Britain and Russia mobilize forces July Britain and Russia mobilize forces 11stst August Germany declares war on Russia August Germany declares war on Russia 22ndnd August Germany invades Belgium, August Germany invades Belgium,

declares war on Francedeclares war on France 44thth August Britain declares war on Germany August Britain declares war on Germany

Student ResearchStudent Research““Whatever happens, Australia is a part of the Whatever happens, Australia is a part of the Empire right to the full. Remember that when Empire right to the full. Remember that when

Australia is at war, so is Australia at war.”Australia is at war, so is Australia at war.” Prime Minister CookPrime Minister Cook

Using your textbook, read the section entitled “ Using your textbook, read the section entitled “ Why did Australia become involved in World War Why did Australia become involved in World War 1.1.

Make a list of the reasons under the following Make a list of the reasons under the following headings; headings;

PoliticalPolitical StrategicStrategic CulturalCultural PersonalPersonal Decisions to go to war are made by governments. Decisions to go to war are made by governments.

Which reasons do you think were the strongest Which reasons do you think were the strongest at this level?at this level?

Why did war start in 1914? Make reference to both the long and short

term causes.