The Causes of World War OneThe Causes of World War One

NationalismNationalism

Nationalism is extreme pride in Nationalism is extreme pride in one’s country and that it’s one’s country and that it’s interests and culture are interests and culture are superior to others.superior to others.

The major European Powers- The major European Powers- Germany, Britain, France , Germany, Britain, France , Austria-Hungary and Russia Austria-Hungary and Russia viewed each other as rivals.viewed each other as rivals.

Groups of people living within the Groups of people living within the Austro-Hungarian Empire also Austro-Hungarian Empire also longed to have their own longed to have their own nations – that is the right to nations – that is the right to self-determinationself-determination

MilitarismMilitarism

During the early 1900’s the During the early 1900’s the major European powers began major European powers began to increase the size of their to increase the size of their armies. Germany, France and armies. Germany, France and Russia soon had armies of Russia soon had armies of over a million men. over a million men.

Germany dramatically Germany dramatically increased the size of its navy. increased the size of its navy. England, which had the largest England, which had the largest navy, so this as a threat and navy, so this as a threat and continued to build more naval continued to build more naval ships to maintain its ships to maintain its dominance of the seas. dominance of the seas.

ImperialismImperialism

Each of the major Each of the major European powers European powers competed to expand competed to expand their colonial empires.their colonial empires.

Colonies were seen Colonies were seen as sources of raw as sources of raw materials and markets materials and markets and large empire and large empire added to a country’s added to a country’s national prestigenational prestige

The Alliance SystemThe Alliance System

Each of the major powers Each of the major powers entered into alliances for their entered into alliances for their mutual protection.mutual protection.Germany, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. After war breaks out Alliance. After war breaks out the Ottoman Turks will join the Ottoman Turks will join Germany and Austria to form Germany and Austria to form the Central Powers.the Central Powers.Russia, France and Britain wil Russia, France and Britain wil form the Triple Entente.form the Triple Entente.The are many other alliances The are many other alliances between the major powers and between the major powers and smaller European nations as smaller European nations as well.well.

The Spark at Sarajevo 1914The Spark at Sarajevo 1914

Tension among the great powers is high and all that is need a Tension among the great powers is high and all that is need a spark to start the flames of war . That spark will be the spark to start the flames of war . That spark will be the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand – the heir to the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand – the heir to the Austrian throne.Austrian throne.

A terrorist group of Serbian nationalists –The Black Hand – A terrorist group of Serbian nationalists –The Black Hand – ishoping to provoke a war that will bring down Austria and unite ishoping to provoke a war that will bring down Austria and unite Slavic people under Serbian rule.Slavic people under Serbian rule.

A Bosnian, Gavrilo Princip, kills the Archduke and his wife in A Bosnian, Gavrilo Princip, kills the Archduke and his wife in June 1914. Austria is convinced that Serbia was behind the plot June 1914. Austria is convinced that Serbia was behind the plot and declares war. and declares war.

Russia comes to Serbia’s aid and Germany, Austria’s ally, Russia comes to Serbia’s aid and Germany, Austria’s ally, declares war on Russia. Soon all of the major powers are at War. declares war on Russia. Soon all of the major powers are at War.

The Assassination at SarajevoThe Assassination at Sarajevo

War in the TrenchesWar in the Trenches

Germany hoped to knock Germany hoped to knock France out of the war quickly France out of the war quickly and than swing East and take and than swing East and take out Russia – the Von out Russia – the Von Schlieffen PlanSchlieffen Plan

However, their attack through However, their attack through Belgium brings Britain into the Belgium brings Britain into the War.War.

Combined British and French Combined British and French forces stop the Germans at the forces stop the Germans at the Marne River, just miles from Marne River, just miles from ParisParis

War in the TrenchesWar in the Trenches

Both sides “dig in” to prevent Both sides “dig in” to prevent the other from gaining more the other from gaining more territory.territory.Soon trenches extend all the Soon trenches extend all the way from the North Sea to way from the North Sea to Switzerland.Switzerland.Each side launches massive Each side launches massive assaults against each other assaults against each other hoping to achieve a “break hoping to achieve a “break through”. through”. The War becomes a bloody The War becomes a bloody stalemate as neither side is stalemate as neither side is able to break through the other able to break through the other sides system of trenches.sides system of trenches.

The Horrors of Trench WarfareThe Horrors of Trench Warfare

Gas Attack/Death on a wireGas Attack/Death on a wire

The USA stays neutralThe USA stays neutral

President Wilson vows to President Wilson vows to keep the US out of the keep the US out of the Great War in Europe.Great War in Europe.He successfully wins re-He successfully wins re-election in 1916 with the election in 1916 with the platform “He kept us out of platform “He kept us out of War”War”A series of events, A series of events, however, are going to push however, are going to push the US closer to entering the US closer to entering the bloody conflict in the bloody conflict in Europe. Europe.