World War I

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World War I
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I. Causes

• A. Background to Crises
• In January 1871 German unification took place
  under the leadership of Bismark and Kaiser
  William I.
• Germany had unified in 1871 through the use of
  clever foreign diplomacy. France had been totally
  isolated.
• Russia and Germany signed secret treaties -
  'reinsurance treaties' - in the 1880s. These
  ensured Germany and Russia remained on friendly
  terms, and that France remained isolated.
• Kaiser William died in 1888. His sucessor,
  Frederick, died within 3 months. The Kaiser who
  followed, William II, clashed with Bismark in two
  policy areas Russia and the Navy
• William II saw no need to stay friendly with
  Russia and wanted to built the Navy up. Bismark
  resigned in 1890 and the secret reinsurance
  treaty was not renewed.

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Kaiser William II
Otto von Bismark
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I. Causes (continued)

• Russia needs a new partner - finds one in France
• this worries Germany because France is no longer
  isolated and they are now surrounded by foes
• Treaty signed by France and Russia in 1895
• Under the Dual Entente Russia and France promised
  to support each other if either was invaded, as
  well as promising to mobilize if any Dual
  Alliance member mobilized.

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The European Alliance System in 1895
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I. Causes (continued)

• B. Why Britain abandoned Splendid Isolation
  (This policy meant that she would only get
  involved with British Empire matters and didn't
  wish to tied up in any continental alliance.)
• w/ Germany building up her navy, Britain becomes
  worried about losing control of the seas
• hostile alliances are lining up in Europe and
  Britain does not want to be left out
• she was worried about threats to her economic
  power
• 3 main steps to becoming involved
• 1. Anglo - Japanese Alliance (gives Britain
  security in the Far East)
• 2. Entente Cordiale - Great Britain (freedom to
  control Egypt) and France (Britain would help
  them take over control of Morocco)
• 3. Triple Entente (Great Britain makes peace with
  Russia in 1907)

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The European Alliance System in 1907
Germany is ticked off because they are now
surrounded by enemies. This gives her an excuse
to continue building up her military.
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I. Causes (continued)

• C. Crises Leading to the Great War
• 1. The Tangiers Speech (1905)
• Kaiser William makes a speech in support of
  Moroccan independence and calls for a conference
  - frustrates the French BIG TIME!
• Algeciras Conference - Britain sides w/ France
  much to Germanys chagrin (They were hoping to
  break up the Entente Cordiale. However, Morocco
  gained its independence w/ France in charge of
  its internal order.

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Causes (continued)

• 2. Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 1908 - officially took over and made part of
  their own country
• Serbia protested because there were many Serbs
  living in the 2 countries and they wanted to be
  part of Serbia
• Germany supported Austria and Russia supported
  Serbia
• result - Russia was not ready for war so Austria
  keeps control of the 2 countries

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I. Causes (Continued)

• 3. The Agadir Crisis
• disturbances occur in Morocco and the Sultan asks
  France to send troops to help put down the
  disturbance
• France sends troops and occupies Fez
• Germany becomes alarmed and sends a gunboat (the
  Panther) and a cruiser (the Berlin) to the port
  of Agadir - tensions are rising!!
• British supports the French and eventually
  Germany backs down but at a price Germany
  accepted that Morocco would now become a French
  protectorate (a state controlled and protected by
  another), but wanted to receive land from French
  Equatorial Africa which could be added to the
  Germany colony of Cameroon.

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Morocco
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I. Causes (Continued)

• 4. Two Balkan Wars - 1912 1913
• occurred because of the collapse of the Turkish
  Empire creating a power vacuum
• results Serbia had emerged as the most dominant
  of the Balkan states. Austria was worried about
  Serbia - and was determined to find an excuse to
  crush Serbia before she became too powerful.

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I. Causes (continued)

• D. The Outbreak of War
• 1. Gavrilo Princip, a young Serb assassinated
  Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his young wife
  Sophie on June 28, 1914 - this event sparks WWI

Gavrilo Princip
Archduke and his wife a few minutes before they
were shot
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I. Causes (continued)

• Austrians blame the Serbian government and intend
  to make them pay!
• With the promise of German backing, Austria
  delivered an ultimatum to Serbia. If Serbia had
  accepted the ultimatum it would have meant the
  virtual end of Serbian independence.
• Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28- the
  assassination gave them an excuse to take care of
  Serbia once and for all
• Chain reaction - Russia mobilized to support
  Serbia. Germany followed suit and told Russia to
  halt mobilization. Russia refused and on August
  2nd Germany declared war on Russia. On August
  3rd Germany declared war on France and invaded
  France via Belgium.
• Britain avoided committing herself to the last
  moment because public opinion in Britain was
  somewhat divided. However the German invasion of
  Belgium, which was of vital strategic importance,
  and which broke the 1839 Treaty of London, united
  British opinion. On August 4th Britain declared
  war on Germany.

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