The document discusses the causes and key events of World War 1. It explains that nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the complex alliance system contributed to rising tensions between European powers. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark that ignited World War 1. The war grew as countries were pulled in by their alliance obligations. The war ended with an armistice in 1918 due to war weariness, economic and human costs, and the entry of the US into the war on the Allied side. This led to peace negotiations and treaties formalizing the end of the war.

1. WWI and International Relations
International Relations

2. Guiding questions
• What were the major causes and underlying factors that led to
the outbreak of World War I?
• How did the alliance system contribute to the escalation of a
regional conflict into a global war?
• What role did nationalism, imperialism, and militarism play in
both the outbreak and the aftermath of WWI?
• How did the lessons learned from WWI influence the approach
to diplomacy and conflict resolution in the 20th century?
• What parallels can be drawn between the events and outcomes
of WWI and the challenges faced by the international
community today?

3. Why do you need to learn about WWI?
As students of International Relations, it is crucial to recognize
the lessons that WWI offers. By studying its causes and
consequences, we gain valuable insights into the fragility of
international relations and the vital role that effective diplomacy
plays in maintaining peace and preventing conflicts.
Understanding the catastrophic outcomes of failed diplomacy
empowers us to advocate for stronger diplomatic efforts, robust
international cooperation, and peaceful resolutions in the face of
global challenges.

4. World War I, often referred to as the
"Great War," was a global conflict that
occurred from 1914 to 1918. It was
triggered by a complex web of political,
economic, and social factors, which
created a tense environment among the
major powers in Europe.

5. Key factors
that
contributed to
the outbreak
of WWI
Nationalism
Imperialism
Milistarism
Alliance System
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

6. Nationalism
Intense national pride
and competition
among European
powers fueled
rivalries and territorial
disputes, leading to a
sense of tension and
rivalry.

7. Imperialism
The scramble for
colonies and
resources around the
world heightened
rivalries and conflicts
between major
powers, particularly in
Africa and Asia.

8. Militarism
The arms race and the buildup
of military forces created an
atmosphere of distrust and fear,
with nations constantly seeking
to outdo one another in terms of
military power.

9. Alliance System
Complex alliance networks, such
as the Triple Entente (France,
Russia, and the United Kingdom)
and the Triple Alliance
(Germany, Austria-Hungary, and
Italy), meant that a local conflict
could quickly escalate into a
larger war involving multiple
nations.

10. Alliance System
Triple Alliance
• Also known as the Central
Powers, this alliance consisted of
Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Bulgaria and the Ottoman
Empire.
• The primary purpose of the Triple
Alliance was to provide mutual
support in case of attack, with a
focus on military coordination.
• Italy was originally part of the
Triple Alliance with Germany and
Austria-Hungary but later
switched sides to join the Allies.
Triple Entente
• This alliance included France,
Russia, and the United Kingdom.
It was formed in response to the
growing power of the Triple
Alliance and aimed to
counterbalance it.
• The Triple Entente did not have a
formal military agreement like the
Triple Alliance, but it signaled a
willingness among these
countries to cooperate politically
and diplomatically.
• Italy, Japan and the USA joined
this alliance, too.
The alliance system meant that if one country within an alliance was attacked, the other members of the
alliance were obliged to come to its defense. This intricate web of alliances created a situation where a
localized conflict could rapidly escalate into a larger, international war.

12. Assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-
Hungary in June 1914 by a Serbian nationalist was the
immediate spark that set off the chain reaction leading to the war.

13. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-
Hungary in 1914 triggered a series of events that led to the
declaration of war.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was
assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist,
on June 28, 1914, in the city of Sarajevo, which was then
part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, and when
Serbia's response was not fully accepted, Austria-Hungary
declared war on Serbia. The alliances then came into play.

14. Russia, being a supporter of Serbia and a member of the
Triple Entente, began mobilizing its forces to assist Serbia.
Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on
Russia to support its ally.
France, as part of the Triple Entente, had a mutual defense
agreement with Russia and began mobilizing its forces.
Germany, fearing a two-front war, then declared war on
France and invaded Belgium in order to attack France.
The United Kingdom, also part of the Triple Entente, declared war on
Germany in response to the violation of Belgian neutrality. Italy initially
remained neutral but eventually joined the Allies (Triple Entente) in 1915,
arguing that the war was not defensive as stated in the alliance.

15. Why did WWI end?
1.War Weariness: The constant fighting, high casualty rates, and societal disruptions took a
heavy toll on morale and support for the war effort.
2.Economic Strain: The war placed immense economic burdens on all participating
countries.
3.Loss of Life: The realization of the human cost of the war led to increased calls for peace
and an end to the conflict.
4.Civil Unrest and Revolutions: Social and political unrest was growing in several countries
involved in the war. Revolutions, such as the Russian Revolution of 1917, undermined the
stability of participating nations and diverted resources and attention away from the war effort.
5.Entry of the United States: The entry of the United States into the war in 1917 brought
fresh resources, manpower, and supplies to the Allied Powers. This shifted the balance of
power and created additional pressure on the Central Powers.
it's estimated that the total number of military and
civilian casualties, both dead and wounded, was
around 40 million.

16. Why did WWI end?
6.Breakdown of Central Powers: The Central Powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary,
and the Ottoman Empire, were facing internal challenges and disintegration. Military defeats
and economic hardships weakened their ability to continue the fight.
7.Successful Allied Offensives: The successful offensives and advancements by the Allied
Powers, combined with the weakening of the Central Powers, created a momentum that
contributed to the eventual armistice.
8.Armistice Negotiations: As the situation became increasingly dire for the Central Powers,
negotiations for an armistice (a temporary cessation of hostilities) began. The Armistice of
Compiègne, signed on November 11, 1918, marked the formal end of fighting on the Western
Front.
9.Paris Peace Conference: The armistice paved the way for the Paris Peace Conference,
where the major powers negotiated the terms of a formal peace treaty. The Treaty of
Versailles was one of the resulting treaties and formally ended the state of war between the
Allied Powers and Germany.

17. The terms of the Armistice of Compiègne
World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11, 1918.
The armistice marked a cessation of hostilities on the Western Front between the Allies
(including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Germany.
The terms of the Armistice of Compiègne included:
1.Immediate Ceasefire: All military operations and hostilities on the Western Front were to
cease at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918.
2.Withdrawal from Occupied Territories: German forces were required to withdraw from
occupied territories, including parts of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.
3.Disarmament: Germany was required to disarm and hand over substantial amounts of
military equipment and weaponry.
4.Allied Occupation: Allied forces were allowed to occupy certain areas within Germany to
ensure compliance with the armistice terms.

18. The armistice set the stage for
negotiations to establish a formal
peace treaty. The Paris Peace
Conference began in January
1919, where the major Allied
powers and other nations
convened to determine the terms
of the peace settlement. The
most notable treaty to emerge
from the conference was the
Treaty of Versailles, which was
signed on June 28, 1919,
between the Allied Powers and
Germany.