World War I was a global conflict that lasted from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918, involving major world powers divided into the Allies and Central Powers, with Germany being a key player. Prior to the war, Germany, under Otto von Bismarck, sought alliances for defense but faced increasing isolation after his dismissal, leading to tensions with neighboring nations. The conflict escalated rapidly after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, culminating in a series of declarations of war that involved multiple countries.

1. GERMANY
Before World War I

2. Germany: 1914

3. What was World War I?
World War I was a global war that started in Europe.
It lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.
More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised in this war.
Over 9 million civilians died as a result of the war.
Technological and industrial advances contributed to the high death rates (fighter planes, submarines,
naval fleets).
It was one of the deadliest wars in history.
It lead to major political changes in the whole world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

4. Who fought World War I?
World War I was fought by the world’s great economic powers. They were organized into two opposing sides: the Allies
and the Central Powers.
 The Allies included Great Britain, France and the Russian Empire.
 The Central Powers were made up of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
After these two sides started fighting, more nations entered the war. Finally, World War I was fought by the Allies, the
Central Powers, Italy, Japan, the United States, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

5. Germany: BEFORE World War I
From 1890-1914, there were five major powers in Europe: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France
and Britain (since the early 1700’s). These nations formed partnerships (alliances) for defensive reasons.
By the 1800’s, however, advances in technology had allowed for much shorter wars.
Germany had been winning wars in Europe in as few as seven weeks. And, Germany wanted more
international success. Germany’s leader, Bismarck, had advanced it from a minor country to one that
could become the most powerful nation in Europe. Unlike its European rivals, however, Germany did not
have an empire (territories outside of Europe) or a great navy to support its ambitions of international
power. During this time, Germany’s European rivals were forming partnerships that left Germany
nervous that it would be attacked by France (over losing the territories of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany
in an earlier war).
Bismarck decided to develop partnerships with Germany’s neighbors to the east: Russia and Austria-
Hungary. Later, Italy joined in. In 1882, a Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
was made. This lasted until 1915. Later, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire
became known as the Central Powers of Europe.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa01

6. Germany: BEFORE World War I
Germany’s alliance-builder, Otto von Bismarck, was dismissed in 1890. His replacement, the new Kaiser,
(Wilhelm II) determined that Russia and Austria-Hungary were not their best allies. Breaking off
relations with Russia, the French and Russia became equally fearful of Germany and secretly formed their
own partnership: the Franco-Russian alliance of 1894.
This was followed by a partnership between France and Britain in 1904. By this time, Germany had only
two possible allies in the event of a fight in Europe: Austria Hungary and Italy (both weak partners). By
this time, Germany feared such a conflict was coming. Germany continued preparing for a war with its
European neighbors: deliberately.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa01

7. Germany: BEFORE World War I
Before 1800, Germany had a lot of rural areas (farmland) with a few city centers of trade. In the 1800’s it
started to grow, economically, very quickly. It also modernized, due to heavy industry. By
1900,Germany had the largest economy in Europe. It was a leader in industry, along with Britain and the
United States.
Bismarck added to an earlier tradition of welfare programs that began in the 1840’s. His contributions
formed the basis of the modern European welfare state. He introduced old age pensions, accident
insurance, medical care and unemployment insurance. His goal was to lower the number of immigrants to
America, where wages were higher, but welfare did not exist.
He won the support of German industry; as well as the support of skilled workers because his programs
protected them from American competition.
htthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Germany

8. Germany: BEFORE World War I

9. On the way to WAR:
From 1890-1914, Germany was adopting “world politics” ideas that it must make its place on the world
stage. The nation began developing a fleet of battleships to match the naval forces of Great Britain.
Their reason: although smaller than Great Britain’s, their fleet of ships would make Germany too
dangerous for Britain to attack.
In the late 1890’s, following the French-Russian partnership, Germany decided to fight both in a war,
developing a two-stage plan:
1. To attack France from the north, through Belgium
2. To fight Russia, with full force, after defeating France.
By December 1912, Germany decided to start a preventive war to protect its interests; deciding to wait
two years in order to finish building up its naval fleet.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa01

10. On the way to WAR:

11. On the way to WAR:
 1913
A law is passed to increase the size of Germany’s army to 800,000 men by Fall 1914
 1914 (28 June)
Archduke Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, is shot and killed by a Serbian
nationalist.
 1914 (4 July)
Austria-Hungary asks Germany to come to its aid if Russia defends Serbia from its planned invasion.
 1914 (6 July)
Germany agrees to support Austria-Hungary if Russia interferes in its invasion of Serbia.
- Germany decides that if Russia steps in, the world will view it as a Russian aggression.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa01

12. WAR begins:
 1914 (28 July)
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
 1914 (29 July)
Austrian ships begin bombing Belgrade
 1914 (1 August)
Germany declares war on Russia, after Russia responds to the attack on Belgrade by mobilizing its
army.
 1914 (3 August)
Germany declares war on France, following the Schlieffen Plan to march through Belgium to France.
 1914 (4 August)
Britain declares war on Germany, in defense of its “protection agreement” with Belgium.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa01

13. WAR begins:

14. WAR begins:

15. WAR begins:

16. GERMANY
Before World War I
Assembled by Shelia Ann Peace
25 July 2016