In examining both tragedies and accomplishments in the past, we are usually interested in the questions of how and why. These questions start the search for causes: what were the actions, beliefs, and circumstances that led to these consequences?

Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria

Bosnia was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, but had a large Serbian population

Many Bosnians and Serbians believed that Bosnia should be part of Serbia

June 28, 1914 – a member of a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand shot and killed the archduke while he was on a visit in Sarajevo, Bosnia

Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbians for the tragedy and turned to Germany for support

The Austrians gave Serbia a list of ultimatums, which they were unable to meet – so Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Russia supported Serbia, and declared war on Austria-Hungary.

Germany supports Austria-Hungary, and declares war on Serbia and Russia.

France supports Russia and declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany.

Britain tries not to get involved, but when Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany & its alliances.

Many believe that Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination was the cause of the war, but the actual causes are more complicated

There are four main causes:Militarism

Alliances

Imperialism

Nationalism

when the military is given a high profile by the government and is used to settle disputes.

The growing divide in Europe led to an arms race between France and Germany.

France and Germany’s armies more than doubled from 1870-1914.

There was intense competition between France and Germany to gain control of the seas.

In 1906 the British army produced the “Dreadnought”; a highly effective battleship.

Following this, Germany produced their own dangerous battleships.

An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if needed.

Alliances may be secret or public, but if one ally declares war on a country, the other allies must follow suit.

Even if countries do not want to be part of conflict, such as England, they can be dragged in by these alliances.

European alliances going in to WW1: Triple Alliance/Central Powers: Germany,

Austria-Hungary, Italy Triple-Entente: Britain, France, Russia

Imperialism is when a country takes over another country or land and makes them subject to their rule.

This “collection” of colonies adds to their wealth and power.

How did the affect WWI alliances?

Britain already had land on 5 continents by 1900, and France controlled large areas of Africa.

Germany had only recently started to acquire colonies, and Britain/France’s large “collection” only contributed to the rivalry with Germany.

Nationalism is a strong feeling of support and pride for one’s country or culture.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna had been held and left both Italy and Germany divided states. However, a feeling of nationalism reunited Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871.

France felt separated because the Alsace-Lorraine region of the country had been given to Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian war.

Areas of Austria-Hungary and Serbia also had different nationalist groups who wanted freedom from the states in which they lived (such as the Serbians in Bosnia).

The major powers were “jingoistic” – ultra-nationalistic.

Countries who shared language or cultural links felt an allegiance to each other. Thus- nationalism encouraged the creation of alliances.