The Great War

1914 - 1918

Learning Targets1. I can identify the four main causes of World

War I

2. I can define Nationalism and Militarism

3. I can Identify the participants and alliances that existed in World War I

4. I can summarize the relationship between 19th and 20th century imperialism and the start of World War I.

World War I

A conflict that devastates Europe and has a major impact on the world.

Marching Towards War

Section 1

MAIN Causes of World War I

M

A

I

N

ILITARISM

LLIANCES

ATIONALISM

MPERIALISM

Arms race begins.Militarism – policy of glorifying

military power, preparing army

Militarism

Dangerous Alliances

Germany’s Otto von Bismarck works for peace after 1871.

Is fearful that France seeks revenge for territory lost in Franco-Prussian War.

Treaties

Signs treaty with Russia in 1881 in order to isolate France.

Forms Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, in 1882

Shifting Alliances

Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes German ruler in1888.

Germany drops alliance with Russia

Germany begins to strengthen Navy

Escalation

Russia forms alliance with France

England is uneasy with German naval expansion

Britain, France, Russia form Triple Entente Alliance

Britain signs treaty in order to remain dominant

Alliances

Germany

Italy

Great Britain

France

Russia

Triple Entente Triple Alliance

ImperialismCompetition of colonies causes mistrust

between nations.The need to protect growing empires

results in militarism.

Nationalism in Europe

Peace of the 1800’s is hiding growing problems in Europe.

Growing nationalism leads to competition between nations.

Nationalism – pride in or devotion to ones country.

Many groups, including in the Balkans demand independence.

Many groups in Balkan region win independence, Serbia becomes a nation of Slavs.

Austria-Hungary annexes Slavic region called Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Serbians are outraged, sees itself as rightful rulers of Slavic lands.

Assassination

Serbian nationalist kills Archduke Franz Ferdinand, member of the royal Austro-Hungarian royal family in 1914.

The Point of No Return: The Assassination of Archduke Franz

Ferdinand

Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia.

Russia pledged their support for Serbia.· example of Slavic nationalism

Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary.· example of German nationalism

Germany declares war on Russia.

France pledges their support for Russia.

Germany declares war on France.

Germany invades Belgium on the way to France.

Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Italy switches sides and joins Allies when promised land from Britain in Treaty of London

Allied Powers

Central Powers

Neutral

World War IWorld War IWorld War IWorld War I

Allied PowersAllied Powers::Allied PowersAllied Powers:: Central Central PowersPowers::Central Central PowersPowers::Great Britain

France

Russia

Italy

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Ottoman Empire