Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Main IdeaEurope in 1914 was on the brink of war. After an assassination, the nations of Europe were drawn one by one into what would be called the Great War, or World War I.

The Great War Begins

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Europe on the Brink of War

Rising tensions in Europe, 1914 • Tensions result of four factors

– Militarism

– Alliances

– Imperialism

– Nationalism

Section 1World War I

• Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces

• Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

• Triple Entente- Great Britain France, Russia, Serbia

• Belief no nation would attack another

Alliances• 1880-1915- Massive military

buildup in Europe

• Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations

• Large Military = Wars

• Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict

MilitarismEurope on the Brink of War

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• Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture

• Led to revolts and struggles for power

• Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe

• Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman Empire

Nationalism• Nations wanted to build

empires

• Created rivalries

• Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations

• Each did not want others to gain power

ImperialismEurope on the Brink of War

Section 1World War I

Europe on the Brink of War

Some of strongest nationalist tensions in Balkans in Serbia, independent nation

• Serbian leaders wanted to expand borders, unite people in “greater Serbia”

• Austria-Hungary opposed expansion

• Feared growth might encourage ethnic groups there to rebel

• Tensions continued to rise between nations

Section 1World War I

In the midst of the tensions with Serbia, archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary decided to visit the Bosnian city of Sarajevo.

• Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated archduke & wife

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

• Russia prepared to support Serbia

• Austria-Hungary ally Germany saw Russia as threat

• Germany declared war on Russia and France

The Impact• Germany faced war on two

fronts: Russia to east, France to west

• Decided to strike France quickly then move to Russia

• Began with quick strike into neutral Belgium

• Attack on neutral country led Great Britain to declare war on Germany

Fighting Begins

War Breaks Out

Section 1World War I

War Breaks Out

Main players in World War I in place • Central Powers

– Germany

– Austria-Hungary

• Allied Powers– Great Britain

– France

– Russia

– Serbia

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Germany’s plan• Germany wanted to quickly defeat France, move east to fight Russia• Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany doomed its plan• The Great War became bloody stalemate

Russia enters fighting• Russia attacked German territory from the east• Russians defeated in Battle of Tannenberg• Germany distracted from France, Allies turned on German invaders

Early battles• Battle of the Frontiers pitted German troops against both French and British• Both sides suffered heavy losses • Germany victorious

Fighting in 1914

Section 1World War I

Fighting in 1914

Trench warfare begins • Allied troops drove Germans back, Battle of the Marne,

September 1914• Retreating Germans dug series of trenches along Aisne

River– Waited in trenches for Allied attack– Trenches elaborately constructed, cleverly concealed

• Allies dug trenches of their own– Major battles for months with little change in positions– Deadlocked region became known as Western Front

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Trench Warfare

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I

Section 1World War I