Imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and alliance systems contributed to tensions between European powers and caused World War I. Imperial nations sought resources and territory, leading to conflicts over control of areas like the Balkan Peninsula and access to the Mediterranean Sea. An arms race and development of powerful navies through militarism heightened tensions. Extreme nationalism made countries view themselves as superior to others. Finally, the system of alliances that formed two teams - the Triple Entente and Central Powers - pulled more countries into war when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ignited conflict between Austria and Serbia.

1. World War I Part 1

2. Causes of World War: Imperialism
- First, imperialism, controlling other areas for the
benefit of the mother country, was a major cause of
World War I.
-Raw resources were sent from the imperial territories
to the mother country. One country in particular,
Germany, became heavily industrialized through
imperialism.
-Imperial nations depended on their territories for raw
resources. Therefore, conflict broke out among the
nations of Europe as they each tried to control
various areas around the world.

3. Imperialism:
Powerful
nations
controlling
areas around
the world had
conflict with
one another.

4. British Imperialism in India

5. American Imperialism

6. Causes of WW I: Militarism
-Second, militarism, the goal of many nations to
have the most powerful military in Europe
helped set the stage for World War I.
-By 1890, Germany possessed the mightiest
military on the mainland of Europe. In 1897,
Wilhelm II expanded Germany to become a
naval power, which worried Britain.
- An “arms race” focused on naval power came
about. Britain, France, the USA, Italy, and Japan
began to heavily develop their respective naval
powers.

7. Causes of WW I: Nationalism
-Third, nationalism, radical devotion to one’s
country was a cause of World War I.
-This was a pride in one’s country that went beyond
healthy patriotism because one not only believed his
or her country was great, but looked down on other
countries as well.
-Competition and rivalry came about and each
country felt they were superior to the others. Various
ethnic groups wanted autonomy and began to clash
with those opposed to their desire for independence.

8. Causes of WW I: Alliance Systems
-Fourth, Alliance Systems, nations joining “teams”
before there was even any war, led to World War I.
According to the Alliance Systems, if any member of
your team gets “attacked” you would show up to
fight with that country against their aggressor.
-By 1907, the Triple Entente formed, also called the
Allies. This “team” included France, Britain, and
Russia.
-Another “team” formed as well, Germany, Austria-
Hungary, and Italy. Eventually, they became the
Central Powers: Germany, Austria, and the Ottoman
Empire, a Muslim Empire.

10. Alliance Systems in WW I

11. On the Verge of World War
-The Balkan Peninsula became a disputed area.
Russia and Austria wanted to control the Serbs and
the area to have a warm port in the Mediterranean
Sea.
-Russia and Austria were also on separate “teams” in
their alliance systems. A fight between these two
nations could force both “teams” to face off.
-Germany wanted a railway to the Ottoman Empire in
Turkey and the Middle East, so they too had an
interest in the area.

12. Many nations wanted control of the Balkan
Peninsula to control access to the
Mediterranean Sea.

13. The Ottoman Empire, in modern day Turkey, joined in an
alliance with Germany because Germany planned to build a
railroad reaching their area.

14. The Spark that Ignites the Fire of War
-In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the
Austrian throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip,
a Serb nationalist.
-Princip wanted independence for Serbia, not control
from a foreign power. Austria declared war against
Serbia.
-Russia showed up to “defend” the Serbs, in reality
they wanted control of the area. The alliance systems
forced other nations to take sides and forced the most
powerful nations of Europe to engage in war with
each other.

15. Serb Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip,
assassinated Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand of
Austria.

16. Gavrilo Princip, a
Serb nationalist,
assassinated Arch
Duke Franz
Ferdinand. This is
the spark the ignited
the fire of World War
I.
Princip was angry
because he wanted
Serbia to be
independent and not

17. THE
END

18. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.