World War I: A war to end all Wars: Causes of WWI
Background to WW1
At the beginning of the 20th Century much of Eastern Europe was dominated by three weak and crumbling empires…
1.) Austro – Hungarian2.) Russian3.) Ottoman
Background continued…
Many of the nations under control of these empires wanted to be independent.
When Austria Hungary took control of Bosnia many Serbs were outraged
Deep sense of Nationalism
Background Continued…
- Many countries formed alliances to protect themselves.
- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance 1882
- France, Russia, and Britain formed an alliance called the Triple Entente 1907
Militarism & Nationalism
There was a huge arms race in Europe in the early 1900’s
Britain and Germany were going head to head to see who could create the larger navy
All European countries expanded their armies to try and maintain a balance of power
The Dreadnought
Imperialism
Many countries of Europe were still trying to assert their imperialist powers
By the late 1800’s the race to claim territories in Africa which was rich in diamonds and gold became fierce
European countries often challenged each other on these issues (ex. Boer War)
Beginning of the War
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the Prince of Austria Hungary was visiting the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia
Bosnia was part of the Austro Hungarian empire
Serbia had claimed it as part of Greater Serbia
Assassination
A Serbian nationalist group called the black hand marked him for assassination.
Gavrilo Princip rushed forward from the crowd to mortally wound the Archduke and his wife Sophie
Marked the first major event in WW1
Who and Where?