Causes of World War I

Please answer the questions in this color in complete sentences

in your SS Notebook.

Open your SS notebook and label the next page with this title:

Peace in Europe• Europe experienced an unprecedented period

of peace from 1871-1914.• Most nations

were concerned about going to war as

destructive capabilities

continued to increase…

Who’s Scared of a United Germany?• The unification of Germany in the late 19th century

terrified much of the rest of Europe.• Germany was scared that others would attack them

– Formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy (the Triple Alliance)

• Others were scared of this new alliance, so formed their own:– France, Russia, and Britain (the Triple Entente)

#1: Why did the powerful European countries split into two alliances? Who was in each one?

The Slavs• Serbia had gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in

1817. • Serbia hoped to grow into a larger country for all the Slavic

peoples of Eastern Europe.– NATIONALISM: They believed that all people of their ethnic

background should be united.

• But many Slavs were in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.• Russia was helping the Serbians

– Partly because of common Slavic heritage– But mostly to hurt Austria-Hungary

#2: Why did the Serbians dislike Austria-Hungary? Why were the Russians helping them?

Communism!• Europe’s working class continued to suffer, even

though conditions were better than earlier in the Industrial Revolution.– More and more were becoming interested in Communism.– And Communists said that worker solidarity was more

important than your nation!• Many European leaders wanted to distract their workers

from an uprising by focusing them on an (imagined) foreign threat…– NATIONALISTIC propaganda campaigns inspired

hatred of other countries.• (Example from France)

#3: How did the threat of Communism help cause WWI? (Be sure to explain the relationship to nationalism)

A Map of Europe on the Verge of WWI

Growing Military Power• Growing Armies…

– Russia had over a million soldiers ready at all times.– France and Germany each had nearly a million.– Other countries had hundreds of thousands as well.

• …Led to growing power for military leaders– They claimed their mobilization plans could not be

changed without causing chaos for the army.– So, if a war started anywhere, war had to be declared

on everyone immediately...

#4: How did the growing size of European armies help cause WWI?

The Spark• 6/28/1914—Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (and his

wife, Sophia) assassinated by a Bosnian activist (part of a pan-Slavic organization called the Black Hand).

• 7/28/1914—Austria declared war on Serbia (because Serbia refused to meet Austria’s unreasonable demands).

• 7/29/1914—Russia began to mobilize against Austria and Germany (because of their alliance with Serbia)

• 8/1/1914—Germany declared war on Russia• 8/3/1914—Germany declared war on France• 8/4/1914—Britain declared war on Germany

#5: When was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated? Why was he assassinated? Why did this cause an entire World War?

Wait a Second…• France didn’t do anything to Germany…• But Germany’s war mobilization plans dictated

quickly attacking France first, then doubling back to the Eastern Front to fight Russia.– …and since mobilization plans “could not” be

changed, they had to declare war on France in order to be able to fight Russia!

– And, the German violation of Belgian space brought Britain into the war to help defend Belgium (and France).

#6: Why did Germany Declare War on France?

Changing Alliances• The Ottoman Empire joined German side in

August 1914• Italy switched sides in May 1915, joining the

French/Russian/British side

#7: Once the war was going, which major countries were called the “Central Powers?” Which were called the “Allied Powers?” And which were neutral?

Putting it all together…

Now…lets make a flow chart of the causes of WWI. We’ll start at the end and work backwards…

Germany invaded Belgium