Origins of World War I (The Great War)

1
Origins of World War I (The Great War)

• Art Lewandowski
• Fostoria High School

2
Four Long Term Causes

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

3
Imperialism

• Dominating countries politically and
  economically
• Closely linked to industry
• Need for raw materials and markets

4
Imperialism Cont.

• Causes tension
• Examples
• Russo-Japanese War over Korea
• France and Great Britain nearly went to war in
  Africa

5
Nationalism

• Belief that national interests and national unity
  should be placed ahead of global cooperation
• Self-interest to guide foreign affairs

6
Nationalism Cont.

• Examples
• Germanic peoples (Germany/Austria) share common
  heritage and goals
• Russia was regarded as the protector of Slavic
  peoples

7
Militarism

• Long term military buildup
• European countries wanted to be stronger than
  each other
• Germany had become the strongest in mainland
  Europe

8
Militarism Cont.

• Results
• France, Italy, Japan, and the United States
  started to develop more advanced weapons

9
Alliances

• Support other countries if they are attacked

10
Alliances Cont.

• Examples
• Triple Alliance Central Powers
• Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
  (TOE/TAG)
• Triple Entente Allies
• France, Russia, Great Britain (FRUG)

11
The Spark That Started The War

• June 28, 1914 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand
  assassinated in Sarajevo, Serbia
• Gavrilo Princip was the assassin and was a member
  of the Black Hand
• How did nationalism, imperialism and militarism
  both work to cause this?

12
War is Declared

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28,
  1914
• Russia had to support Serbia
• Germany had to support Aus-Hun.

13
Alliances Tear Europe Apart

• Ger. declared war on Russia (Frances Ally)
• G.B. came to help Fr. after neutral Belgium was
  invaded

14
Alliances Tear Europe Apart Cont.

• By the end of the summer of 1914 the whole
  continent of Europe was engulfed in war.

15
PI I.O.1

• 1. Why might the Balkans be called The Powder
  Keg of Europe?
• 2. Choose one European country and explain how
  Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and
  Nationalism affected that country and its entry
  into World War I in 1914. (must have spoke and
  wheel)

16
What would you do?

• Your nation is one of the oldest, wealthiest and
  most populous in the world. Your Science and
  tech. industries are the best in the world. But
  you are surrounded by weaker countries that build
  up their navies to threaten your colonies and
  steal your resources. They also want to take
  some of your territory. You fear they are
  growing stronger at your expense and eventually
  they might try to take over your homeland. You
  might lose your home and cultural heritage
  forever. What will you do? Why?