Transcript Pwr_Pt_WWI_Intro_MAIN_Causes

Unit 6 – The Age of
Imperialism and World War I
(1890 – 1918)
The 4 M-A-I-N! Causes of
The Great War
Daily Learning Target
• I can identify and analyze the MAIN
causes and significant events of World
War I.
M.A.I.N. Causes of World War I
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Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
• Define each term (use the
dictionary or your
glossary)
• What does it look like? In
other words tell how each
term/ practice could cause
2 or more countries to go to
war today.
Militarism
• A state of extreme,
aggressive military
preparedness; a
nationalistic glorification of
the military. Often results
in an arms race between
nations. My weapons are
better than yours!
Alliances
• A close association of
nations acting
together for a
common objective
such as for defense in
case of an attack by
an enemy. In war,
this leads to a
“domino effect.”
Russia
Great
Britain
Germany
Austria- Hungary
France
Italy
World War I Alliances
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Central Powers
+Germany
+Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria
+Italy
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Allied Powers
*Great Britain
*France
Belgium
*Russia
Serbia
Greece
Italy (1915)
U.S.A. (1917)
Europe During WW I (P. 284)
1. Which nations were the
Allies?
2. Which nations were the
Central Powers?
3. Which nation has the
greatest geographical
advantage?
4. Which nation has the
greatest geographical
disadvantage?
5. Where did most of the
fighting occur?
Allies
Imperialism
• The policy of forming
and maintaining an
empire, as by
establishing colonies
and/or dominating the
affairs of weaker
nations.
• It is intense and highly
competitive!
Nationalism
• A devotion to one’s
nation; having pride in
your nation or heritage.
Can become dangerous
when it is coupled with
extremism & militarism.
i.e. an “I’m better than
you” attitude.
The Powder Keg Explodes
• Bosnia (S.E. Europe) was
annexed by Austria-Hungary
in 1908. This angered Serbia.
• Due to ethnic rivalries and
tension, the Balkan Peninsula
had long been considered the
“Powder Keg” of Europe.
• Austrian Archduke Francis
Ferdinand and his wife Sophie
(he was heir to the once mighty
Hapsburg empire) traveled to
Sarajevo, Bosnia to try to calm
tensions and reassure the
people of Bosnia and Serbia.
Assassination! June 28, 1914
• The Black Hand (a
Serbian Nationalist
Group) planned to kill
the Archduke.
• Gavrilo Princip fired
the deadly shots.
• July 28, 1914, A-H
declared war on Serbia
and the Alliance System
broke down.
The Conflict Widens
• Germany was prepared! It had a first
strike strategy called the Schlieffen
Plan that called for a quick sweep into
France to take it out of the war.
• Because Germany had to go through
neutral Belgium, it drew Great Britain
into the war on the side of the Allies.
• By late 1914, the Ottoman Empire
joined the Central Powers and Italy
joined the Allies in 1915.
Stalemate!
• Germany’s advance on Paris was
stopped 30 miles short and both sides
dug in for the long haul.
• Trench Warfare – 450 miles of
trenches across the Western Front.
• 1000s were slaughtered as they
attacked and counter attacked across
no man’s land.
• Germany & Austria had great success
against Russia on the Eastern Front
however.
Exit Slip – MAIN Causes of WW I
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MilitarismAlliancesImperialismNationalism-
A. An association of
nations pledged to
defend one another
B. Policy of building an
empire; adding
colonies
C. Pride in one’s country;
patriotism
D. An aggressive state of
military preparedness