CAUSES OF WW1

NATIONALISM

Nationalism means being a strong supporter of one's country – you want your country to be powerful and strong and you would be prepared to fight for it.

Many countries were angry about how land had been taken away from them and given to other countries.

Large areas of Austria-Hungary contained different nationalist groups, like the Slavs, all of whom wanted freedom.

IMPERIALISM

Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or other countries.

MILITARISM

Militarism means that the army and military have a lot of power in their country.

The government spends a lot of money on weapons and training soldiers.

The growing rivalry between countries in Europe led to an arms race – which country could have the biggest army, the most and best weapons.

[Industrialization meant that weapons were now more efficient and more deadly.]

Countries thought going to war was the best and probably only way to solve problems.

By 1900, Germany was also rich and strong, and looking for more land.

So Britain and Germany became rivals.

Britain owned land all over the world. It was the richest country.

REASONS FOR WAR IN 1914

but

There was also competition with other countries for colonies and land.

In 1871, Germany took land from France. France wanted the land back and feared that Germany wanted more of her land.

Austria-Hungary had a large empire in Europe. It contained many different people. Many of these people – the Slavs, for instance – did not want to be under Austrian rule. Austria feared the Slavs would fight against her and break up the empire.

Germany was right in the middle of Europe, surrounded by other countries. This meant Germany could be attacked on all sides which worried her.

Tensions were so high in Europe that the main countries felt that they needed support and protection from each other so they formed ALLIANCES.

An alliance is an agreement made between countries to help each other if needed.

When an alliance is signed, those countries become known as ALLIES.

People form gangs because there is safety and power in numbers.

People join gangs because the gang will protect them.

The gang will also expect its members to help them by fighting with them.

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The Archduke of Austria- Hungary, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife were assassinated while visiting Sarejevo on 28 June 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian.

In retalliation, Austria marched into Serbia.

All the alliances kicked in.

By August 1914 Europe (and eventually the whole world) was at war!

And then it happened . . .

This was the trigger which started the First World

War.

So, who ended up in which gang? Who fought against

whom?

ALLIES

BRITAIN

FRANCE

RUSSIA

USA

CENTRAL POWERS

GERMANY

AUSTRIA- HUNGARY

TURKEY