Transcript Powder Keg and the Causes of WWI

World War I:
The Stage is Set
Efforts for Peace
• By the early 1900s many efforts were
underway to end war Europe
– 1896 Olympic Games in Athens
– Creation of the Nobel Peace Prize
– Universal Peace Conference of 1899
Explosive Material for World War I
M:
Militarism
A:
Alliances
I:
Imperialism
N:
Nationalism
Explosive Material for World War I
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
Aggressive Nationalism
• At the same time major struggles took
place between France, Germany and
other new nations
• France is still bitter after the lose of land
caused by the Franco-Prussian War
• Pan-Slavism brings the nationalist
movement to the Baltic States
Explosive Material for World War I
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Austria and Russia
competing for influence
in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
Conflicts Caused by Imperialism
• 1905 and 1911 competition for colonies
once again caused conflicts with Germany
and France
• Growth of Germany starts to put fear in the
British government
– Great Britain started to support France
– Social Darwinism pushes military growth
Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
Austria and Russia
competing for influence
in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
European Alliances
• Triple Alliance
– 1882 Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungry
• Triple Entente
– 1894 France and Russia
– 1904 France and Britain signed an entente
lead a military pack
– Britain soon signed a entente with Russia
Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia
competing for influence
in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
MilitarismBuilding up armed forces, getting ready for
war
• Britain’s large navy struck fear in Europe
• France wanted revenge on Germany because of
the loss in the Franco-Prussian War.
• Germany wanted to build a stronger military to
help increase imperialistic ideas
– Britain did not like this idea
Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia
competing for influence
in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
The Match: The
assassination at
Sarajevo
The Start of WWI
• June 28 Archduke and Heir to the Austrian
thrown Francis Ferdinand and his wife took a
visit to the Capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo
• June 28 is a special date in Serbian History
– 1389 Serbia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire
– 1912 Serbia Frees themselves from Turkish Rule
The Assassination
• Serbian Terrorist group the Black Hand
successfully assassinated the Archduke
and his wife
• Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph was
outraged but he was hesitate to go to war
– However his Government wanted to destroy
the Serbian government
The Ultimatum
• Austria sent the Serbs an ultimatum
– Serbia only agreed to a couple of the ultimatums
– July 28, 1914 Austria declares was on Serbia
• Germany supports Austria
– Germany supports the harsh stand on the Serbs and promises to
back the Austrians War
• Russia supports the Serbs
– Russia begins to mobilize in order to support their little Slavic
brother
– Russia asks for France to help
• France sees it as a chance get back at Germany for the FrancoPrussian War
Explosive Material for World War I
Two Alliance system in
Europe
German attempts to gain colonies
annoy and frighten France, Britain and
Russia
Arms race between
Germany and France
Naval rivalry between
Britain and Germany
Austria and Russia
competing for influence
in the Baltic Region
French unhappy at the loss of Alsace and
Lorraine in 1871 (Franco-Prussian War)
Germany’s war plan was not flexible
The Match: The
assassination at
Sarajevo
Schlieffen Plan
• General Alfred von Schlieffen had developed a
plan to avoid a two front war
• Schlieffen’s plan was to invade France and win a
quick battle, then turn to Russia
• The plan to invade France meant a trip through
Belgium
– Belgium was supported by England and on August 3rd
Germany invaded Belgium and England Declared
War on Germany