Causes of the War
Four main causes
Nationalism Imperialism Militarism Creation of Alliances
Assassination
Nationalism
Absolute devotion to the well being of one’s home nation
Leads to competition and rivalries between nations Turn to large nation states for protection
Ethnic groups long for independence
Russians agree to protect Slavic peoples’ including the Serbs
Serbs live under the rule of AustriaHungary Tension btwn Russia and AustriaHungary grows over Serbian independence (Reference map)
http://www.marshmellow.net/deutschland/ maps/Europe_1913.jpg
Imperialism
•Used by nations of Europe to extend control across the globe •Increases economic profit •Supplier of raw materials and new markets •With German industrialization, Germany competes with France and Britain for global colonial conquest
Militarism
Militarism—Development of armed forces to be used diplomatically Imperial competition leads to military growth 1890 Germany has the largest army from expansion
Militarism (cont.) 1897 Germany focuses on competition with Britain for naval dominance
Who will control the shipping lanes? Other global powers enter the naval arms race
Why are the shipping lanes important?
Creation of Alliances
The Triple Entente (Allies)
France, Britain, and Russia Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
The Triple Alliance
Italy will leave the Alliance, creating
Central Powers
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire
Alliances ensure security via a balance of power? But also set the stage for global war
Assassination
The Balkan “Powder Keg”
European powers have an interest in the Balkan Peninsula
Russia wants the Med. Sea Germany wants a railway to Ottoman Empire Austria-Hungary wants more control of Bosnia
Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Bosnian capital
Shot dead by Serbian nationalist
Member of the Black Hand, promote Serbian nationalism
Austria declares war on Serbia
Russia comes to Serbia’s aid Germany declares war on Russia and their ally France Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary
Archduke
Roots of War