The Great War Begins

1
The Great War Begins

• Chapter 14 section 1

2
Alliances Draw Lines

• In 1882, German leader Otto Von Bismarck signed
  treaties with other powers. These powers were
  Austria-Hungary and Italy and they formed the
  Triple Alliance.
• When war did break out in 1914, Germany and
  Austria-Hungary stayed allied and became known as
  the Central Powers.
• In 1904, France and Britain signed an entente, a
  nonbinding agreement to follow common policies.
• When war broke out, Britain signed a similar
  agreement with Russia. The three became known as
  the Allies.
• These alliances became known as entangling
  alliances, due to the complex web that they
  created as countries began to go to war.

3
British post card
4
Triple Entente vs. Triple Alliance
5
(No Transcript)
6
Competition problems

• Overseas rivalries also divided up European
  nations. This European imperialism nearly
  brought Germany and France to the brink of war
  over the African nation Morocco.
• This tension made BR and FR strengthen their ties
  against Germany.
• With war tensions on the rise, the great powers
  began to build up their armies and navies.
• The fiercest competition was the naval rivalry
  between BR and Germany.
• With overseas colonies, both countries increased
  naval spending.
• The rise of militarism, or the glorification of
  the military, helped to feed into the arms race.
• Militarism painted false hope for young men, who
  saw war as a noble and great cause- not the
  misery that would soon follow.

7
Nationalism

• Aggressive nationalism, or having extreme pride
  in ones country, also caused tension.
  Nationalism was strong in both Germany and
  France, but France was still bitter about their
  1871 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.
• Especially Frances loss of the border provinces
  of Alsace and Lorraine.
• In Eastern Europe, Russia sponsored form of
  nationalism called Pan-Slavism.
• As the largest Slavic country, Russia felt it was
  their duty to lead and defend all Slavs since
  they shared a common nationality.
• By 1914, it stood ready to support Serbia, a
  proud young nation that dreamed of creating a
  South Slav state.

8
The Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
9
The Powder Keg Ignites

• The crisis began when Archduke Francis Ferdinand
  of Austria-Hungary announced he would visit
  Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.
• Bosnia, home of many Serbs and Slavs, was also
  under the Austrian Empire. The visit upset many
  Serbian Nationalists.
• Serbian terrorists, the Black Hand, vowed to take
  action.
• June 28, 1914- While riding through Sarajevo in
  an open car, Francis Ferdinand and his wife
  Sophia were shot by terrorists Gavrilo Princip
  and killed.
• The news shocked Austria and Germany. Germany
  gave Austria a blank check, or a promise of
  unconstitutional support no matter what the cost.

10
And how the dominoes fall

• Austria sent Serbia a sweeping ultimatum, or
  final set of demands.
• Serbia did not agree to all of Austrias demand,
  leading to Austria declaring war on Serbia on
  July 28, 1914.
• The war between the two nations was said to have
  been a summer war, however, the planned
  alliances were soon drawn into battle.
• After Austrias declaration of war, Serbia turned
  to Big Brother Russia. Tsar Nicolas II
  telegraphed Kaiser Wilhelm II and asked to stop
  demands. When this plea failed, Russia began to
  mobilize, or prepare its military forces for war.
• August 1, Germany responded by declaring war on
  Russia.
• Russia turned to its ally France. French
  nationalists saw the opportunity to revenge the
  Franco-Prussian War.
• When Germany told France to stay out, France
  refused, Germany declared war.

11
and keep falling

• By early August, the lines were being drawn, yet
  Great Britain remained uncommitted.
• Italy stayed neutral for the time being.
  Neutrality is a policy of supporting neither side
  of the war.
• With Britain undecided, Germany made the decision
  for them. On August 3, Germany invaded neutral
  Belgium which had signed a treaty Britain.
  Britain was furious, declared war on Germany on
  August 4.