2. IntroductionIntroduction
Efforts to outlaw war and achieve aEfforts to outlaw war and achieve a
permanent peace had been gainingpermanent peace had been gaining
momentum in Europe since the middle ofmomentum in Europe since the middle of
the 19the 19thth
century.century.
Some Europeans believed that progressSome Europeans believed that progress
had made war a thing of the past.had made war a thing of the past.
Yet in little more than a decade, a massiveYet in little more than a decade, a massive
war would spread across the globe.war would spread across the globe.
3. Rising Tensions in EuropeRising Tensions in Europe
Below the surface of peace andBelow the surface of peace and
goodwill, Europe witnessed severalgoodwill, Europe witnessed several
gradual developments that wouldgradual developments that would
ultimately help propel the continentultimately help propel the continent
into war.into war.
4. The Rise of NationalismThe Rise of Nationalism
The growth ofThe growth of nationalismnationalism—deep—deep
devotion to one’s nation—caused intensedevotion to one’s nation—caused intense
competition among thecompetition among the Great PowersGreat Powers::
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain,Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain,
Russia, Italy, and France.Russia, Italy, and France.
The Great Powers competed for marketsThe Great Powers competed for markets
and territory.and territory.
Intense nationalism in the nations of theIntense nationalism in the nations of the
BalkansBalkans led to demands for independenceled to demands for independence
among Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, andamong Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, and
others.others.
5. Imperialism and MilitarismImperialism and Militarism
ImperialismImperialism, and the quest for colonies, and the quest for colonies
sometimes pushed European nations tosometimes pushed European nations to
the brink of war and intensified the sensethe brink of war and intensified the sense
of rivalry and mistrust.of rivalry and mistrust.
The nations of Europe took pride in havingThe nations of Europe took pride in having
strong militaries and being prepared forstrong militaries and being prepared for
war. This led to a dangerouswar. This led to a dangerous arms racearms race..
Glorifying military power is calledGlorifying military power is called
militarismmilitarism..
6. Tangled AlliancesTangled Alliances
Growing rivalries and mutual
mistrust had led to the creation of
several military alliances among
the Great Powers as early as the
1870s. This alliance system had been
designed to keep peace in Europe.
But it would instead help push the
continent into war.
7. Bismarck Forges Early PactsBismarck Forges Early Pacts
Between 1864 and 1871, Prussia’s blood-
and-iron chancellor, Otto von Bismarck,
freely used war to unify Germany.
Bismarck saw France as the greatest
threat to peace.
His goal was to isolate France and leave it
without allies.
In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual
Alliance between Germany and Austria-
Hungary.
In 1881, Italy joined this alliance forming
the Triple Alliance.
9. Shifting Alliances Threaten PeaceShifting Alliances Threaten Peace
In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy
changed dramatically. That year, Kaiser
Wilhelm II—ruler of Germany—forced
Bismarck to resign.
Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with
Russia lapse in 1890.
Russia formed a military alliance with
France in 1892 and 1894. Such an
alliance had been Bismarck’s fear.
10. Picture of KaiserPicture of Kaiser
Wilhelm IIWilhelm II
11. Shifting Alliances Threaten PeaceShifting Alliances Threaten Peace
(continued)(continued)
Kaiser Wilhelm II starts a shipbuilding
program to make the German navy equal
to the British fleet.
Alarmed by this, England forms the Triple
Entente with France and Russia.
Therefore, there are two rival camps in
Europe: the Triple Alliance and the
Triple Entente.
13. Crisis in the BalkansCrisis in the Balkans
This mountainous
peninsula in the
southeastern corner of
Europe was home to
an assortment of
ethnic groups. With a
long history of
nationalist uprisings
and ethnic clashes,
the Balkans was
known as the
“powder keg” of
Europe.
14. A Restless RegionA Restless Region
By the early 1900s the Ottoman Turks hadBy the early 1900s the Ottoman Turks had
declined and the peoples of the Balkansdeclined and the peoples of the Balkans
had formed new nations: Bulgaria, Greece,had formed new nations: Bulgaria, Greece,
Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia.Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia.
Serbia had a large Slavic population andSerbia had a large Slavic population and
was supported by Russia.was supported by Russia.
In 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia andIn 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Serbian leaders wereHerzegovina. Serbian leaders were
outraged and tensions between the twooutraged and tensions between the two
nations rose.nations rose.
15. A Shot Rings Throughout EuropeA Shot Rings Throughout Europe
On June 28, 1914On June 28, 1914
the heir to thethe heir to the
throne of Austria,throne of Austria,
Archduke FranzArchduke Franz
FerdinandFerdinand and hisand his
wifewife SophieSophie, paid, paid
a visit to Sarajevo,a visit to Sarajevo,
the capital ofthe capital of
Bosnia. Foolishly,Bosnia. Foolishly,
they were riding inthey were riding in
an open car.an open car.
16.
17. Assassination and UltimatumAssassination and Ultimatum
The couple wasThe couple was
shot by 19-year-shot by 19-year-
oldold GavriloGavrilo
PrincipPrincip (right), a(right), a
Serbian nationalistSerbian nationalist
member of themember of the
terroristterrorist
organization Blackorganization Black
Hand.Hand.
20. UltimatumUltimatum
Austria delivers an ultimatum toAustria delivers an ultimatum to
Serbia with numerous demands onSerbia with numerous demands on
July 23, 1914. Serbia agreed toJuly 23, 1914. Serbia agreed to mostmost
of the demands trying to avoid war.of the demands trying to avoid war.
22. The War BeginsThe War Begins
July 28, 1914: Austria rejectsJuly 28, 1914: Austria rejects
Serbia’s offer of most of theSerbia’s offer of most of the
demands and declared war ondemands and declared war on
Serbia.Serbia.
Russia, the protector of Serbia,Russia, the protector of Serbia,
mobilizes its forces toward themobilizes its forces toward the
Austrian border.Austrian border.
