The document summarizes several key factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War 1: 1) Militarism - European powers including Germany, France, and Russia greatly expanded their armed forces in the decades leading up to 1914. 2) Alliances - By 1914, the major European powers were locked into a system of alliances that drew more countries into a localized conflict. 3) Imperialism and nationalism - The European powers competed for overseas colonies and territory, fueling nationalist sentiments. 4) Significant individuals - Key leaders such as the German Kaiser and Austrian and German leaders helped propel Europe into war through aggressive actions and support for allies. 5) The July Crisis - The assassination of

1. •MMilitarismilitarism
•AAllianceslliances
•IImperialismmperialism
•NNationalismationalism
•SSignificant individualsignificant individuals

2.  Germany was competing
with the UK to build
battleships.
 The British thought that
Germany growing a navy so
rapidly was a threat. A
competition as she had been
for a lot of years ‘the Queen
of the Sea’.
 Germany’s Kaiser thought
they needed a navy to
protect their colonies.
Militarism 1.

3. 
 Germany was
competing with Russia
and France to expand
their armies
1880 1914
 Germany 1.3m 5.0m
 France 0.73m 4.0m
 Russia 0.40m 1.2m
Militarism 2.

4.  By 1914 all the major
powers were linked by a
system of alliances.
 The alliances made it
more likely that a war would
start.
 Once started, the alliances
made it more likely to spread.
 Triple Entete: Germany, Austria-Hungary and
Italy. Central Powers: Britain, France and Russia.
Alliances

5. 
 All the great powers were
competing for colonies /
territory. (To be an empire you
needed colonies because they
meant power).
 The British feared Germany
in Africa.
 The Austrians feared Serbia
/ Russia in the Balkans.
Imperialism

6. 
 This was an age when all nations wanted to assert
their power and independence.
 In Europe Slavs,
aided by Serbia and
Russia, wanted to be
Free of Austrian rule.
Pride to your country.
Nationalism

7.  Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941)
 Built up German army and navy as
he was a strong believer in increasing
the strength of the German armed
forces, particularly the navy.
 Aggressive foreign policy
 Determined to make Germany a top
nation.
-”A momentous hour has struck
for Germany. Envious rivals every where
force us to legitimate defense.”
(Wilhelm announcing to the German people that WWI
has broken out).
Significant Individuals 1.
“Germany must have
its place in the sun”
“The world belongs to
the strong.”

8. 
 Count Berchtold
 Austrian Prime
Minister.
 During the July
Crisis, decided on a
very tough
ultimatum for Serbia
Significant Individuals 2
“Were the Serbs to
agree to all the
demands, this would
not be to my liking”

9. 
 Bethmann Hollweg
 German Prime Minister
 Gave very strong support to
Austria during the July
crisis while Kaiser was
cruising on his yacht.
Significant Individuals 3
“The Austrian demands
are moderate. Any
interference by Britain,
France and Russia would
be followed by
incalculable
consequences”

10. 
 28 June 1914
 Heir to Austrian
throne Franz
Ferdinand visits
Sarajevo.
 Capital of Bosnia,
recently grabbed by
Austria.
 Hotbed of Slav
nationalism
The Crisis 1.
Seal of the
Black Hand
group

11. 
 “Black Hand”
terrorists attack the
Arch Duke
 Bomb attempt fails in
morning
 Gavrilo Princip
shoots Archduke and
wife in the afternoon.
 Austrians blame
Serbia for supporting
terrorists.
The Crisis 2.

12. 
 Austrians, supported by
Germany, send Serbia a
tough ultimatum.
 Serbia agrees to all but two
terms of the ultimatum.
 Russia mobilises her troops
to support Serbia
 Germany demands that
Russia stands her armies
down.
 Germany declares war on
Russia
The Crisis 3.
“Demands must be
put to Serbia that
would be wholly
impossible for them
to accept …”

13.  Britain had Ententes
with France and
Russia.
 Only “friendly
agreements” but
French and Russians
given impression
Britain would fight.
 The Schlieffen Plan
Why did Britain get
involved?
Sir Edward Grey
British Foreign Secretary
… “There’s some devilry
going on in Berlin”

14.  Germany wanted to go
through Belgium, then attack
France and then Russia. But
Belgium forces resisted more
than what they had anticipated
but they got to France anyway.
When they were attacking,
Britain appeared to give a
hand to her allies.
 This plan failed as it took
longer than what they thought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk2p9gzR3GI
The Schlieffen Plan

15.  1838- UK had signed a
Treaty to protect
Belgium.
 Britain also scared of
Germany controlling
Channel ports.
 Did not want Germany
to defeat France and
dominate Europe.
Britain next?
 UK issued ultimatum
to Germany to
withdraw troops from
Belgium. War declared
Britain’s Reaction

16. By: Gonzalo, Tomas A. and Florencia.By: Gonzalo, Tomas A. and Florencia.