1. Modern World History – October 2012

2. 1. Alliances
 an international treaty of friendship that
promises military support
 Triple Alliance
 Formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary,
and Italy in 1882
 Germany and Austria-Hungary were
natural allies because they spoke the
same language
 Germany pursued alliance with Italy as
a defense against France
• Triple Entente (entente is French for understanding)
• Formed by Great Britain, France, and Russia in 1907
• Largely a response to the Triple Alliance
• Russia was interested in getting protection after losing a war with
Japan in 1905
• France also had a secret alliance with Italy

3. 2. Nationalism
 The unique cultural identity of a people based on
common language, religion, and national symbols
 Extreme pride in one’s nation
• Major powers had become
strong through
imperialism
• Many ethnic or cultural
groups still wanted their
own nations (especially
Balkan States)

4. 3. Militarism
 Increase in military spending and number of troops and
promotion of military officials to positions of political
power
• Conscription – military
draft
• European armies doubled in
size between 1890 and 1914
• Grew out of economic
competition and
imperialism
• Developed elaborate
military plans

5.  Germans started developing the plan in 1905
 Worried that they would one day be fighting the French
and Russians at the same time

6.  The Black Hand were a Nationalist group who wanted
an independent Slavic state (instead of being ruled by
Austria-Hungary)
 They planned to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand, the
heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne
 Gavrilo Princip shot both the Archduke and his wife
 Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for
this attack and declared war on July 28, 1914

7.  Because of the systems of alliances
 Austria-Hungary was backed by Germany (and Italy)
 Serbia was backed by Russia, who was backed by France
and Great Britain
 Germany saw a chance to finally use the Schlieffen Plan
 Invaded Belgium to get to France
 This invasion of Belgium was enough to get Great Britain to
declare war on Germany
 By August 4, all the great powers of Europe were at war