The Great War

1914 - 1918

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

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.

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

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

Armies March

Two Sides

By August of 1914 there are two sides at war in Europe.

By the end of the war 32 nations will have participated in the war on one side or another.

Bloody Stalemate

Western Front – heavy battle zone in Northern France

Schlieffen Plan – German plan to quickly defeat France and then turn against Russia.

Germans quickly advance on Paris reaching the outskirts.

Forced to retreat after First Battle of the Marne

Plan fails, Germany has to fight two-front war

Schlieffen Plan

Trench Warfare

Conflict descends into trench warfare – armies fighting from trenches.

Battle leads to slaughter on both sides, little gain from fighting.

Life in trenches is miserable, difficult, unsanitary

Massive Losses in battles of Verdun and Somme

Eastern Front

Eastern Front – site of main fighting along the German and Russian border.

Russians push into Austria and Germany, but soon forced to retreat.

Russia Struggles

Russia is suffering by 1916, many casualties, few supplies.

Huge army keeps Russia in the fight.

Prevents Germany from sending troops to Western Front.