Causes of World War I

1. Causes of WWICauses of WWI

2. Causes of World War I
-National identities became important, people were
educated in nationalism at school
-National pride was based upon industrial power
and colonies.
-1871: Germany and Italy became countries
-wanted to be like Britain /France
-New nationalisms were breaking out through all
Europe, like the serbians
1- Nationalism

3. 2- Industrialization
-From 1870 on, industrialization spreads to
continental Europe
-Economic competition between nations
began-Germany quickly gaining on Britain
-Transport networks, communication, and
military advances continued spreading
-Need for markets and raw materials

4. 3- Imperialism
-Nationalism and industrialization tied to
colonial power
-Competition for colonies increases tensions
-European nations rule Africa and part of
Asia to build empires

5. 4- Militarism
-Between 1870 and 1914, European nations
increased their military budget by 400%
-Many believed war was coming, but didn’t
know when it would start.
-Arms Race developed fast: new weapons
appeared (machine guns, poisonous gases,
war airplanes, submarines, new
warships…)

6. Road to war: the pre-war crisisRoad to war: the pre-war crisis
1905 Morocco
• - Germany wanted to end French supremacy over
Morocco
• - 1906 Algeciras Conference: France & Great Britain
stuck together against German claims
1908: 1st Balkan Crisis
• - Austria-Hungary takes control over Bosnia-
Herzegovina
• - Russia & Serbia protest but they are not ready for a
war
• - Germany backs up Austria-Hungary against Russia
and Serbia

7. Pre-War CrisisPre-War Crisis
1911: Morocco
• Crisis of Agadir: Germany claims Morocco ( under French
control)
• France keeps control over Morocco and in exchange
Germany receives french territories in Central Africa
• Secret agreement: France would patrol the Mediterranean
Sea while Great Britain would patrol the French coasts
in the Atlantic and the North Sea
1912-13: 2nd Balkan Crisis
• After several local wars, Serbia enlarges its territories
with Russia’s support
• Austria-Hungary is losing supremacy over the Balkan
area.

8. Germany
• Industrialized
• Wanted an
overseas
empire (Navy)
• “Encircled” by
Russia and
France
Austria-Hungary
• Different ethnic
groups that
wanted their
independence
(serbs, slavs,
czechs,
germans…)
• Scared by Russia
Italy
• New country
• Wanted an
overseas
empire
• Not as powerful
or
industrialized
as the rest
The Triple Alliance

9. Great Britain
• Industrialized
• Overseas Empire
• The “splendid
isolation” ends
as Germany
claims for
colonies
France
• Wanted revenge
after the Franco-
Prussian War
• Claims the Alsacia-
Lorena region
• Industrialized
Russia
• Old Regime: most
backward
country
• Not very
industrialized
• Supports Slavs
and Serbs living
in Austria-
Hungary
The Triple Entente

10. Domino Effect: the
war starts
-1) June 28, 1914 –
Austrian Archduke
Ferdinand and his wife
are assassinated in
Sarajevo, Bosnia
-A young member of a
serbian nationalist
group, Gavrilo Princip,
is the killer
-Austria-Hungary blames
Serbia for supporting
Bosnian Nationalist for
the assassination

11. Domino Effect
-(2) Austria Hungary
issues an ultimatum to
Serbia to allow
Austrian forces to
investigate and stop
anti-Austrian activities
in Serbia. (Austria
knows Serbia will not
accept)
•

12. Domino Effect
(3) Serbia refuses
ultimatum, Austria-
Hungary declares
war
(4) Russia mobilizes
army to defend
Serbia
(5) Germany declares
war on Russia

13. Domino Effect
• (6) France declares
war on Germany
(7) Germany invades
Belgium to attack
France
(8) Britain declares
war on Germany
•

14. The Domino Effect (overview)The Domino Effect (overview)
Austria-Hungary issues an
ultimatum to Serbia (its
forces will enter the country
to investigate the murder)
Austria-Hungary issues an
ultimatum to Serbia (its
forces will enter the country
to investigate the murder)
Serbia refuses the
ultimatum
Serbia refuses the
ultimatum
Austria-Hungary
declares war on
Serbia.
28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary
declares war on
Serbia.
28 July 1914
Russia mobilizes its
troops to defend Serbia
Russia mobilizes its
troops to defend Serbia
Germany (Austria-
Hungary ‘s allie) declares
war on Russia
Germany (Austria-
Hungary ‘s allie) declares
war on Russia
France (Russia’s allie)
declares war on
Germany
France (Russia’s allie)
declares war on
Germany
Germany invades
Belgium to attack
France
Germany invades
Belgium to attack
France
Great Britain (France’s
allie) declares war on
Germany
Great Britain (France’s
allie) declares war on
Germany

15. Countries Mobilize for war:
Nationalism and Patriotism

16. But… Don’t we forget a country?
-Yes!: Italy decided that its chances to gain
land were better with France, Britain, and
Russia than with the Germans, so they
changed their side.
-And… how about Spain? Well, Spain
remained neutral, and did a good business
selling bullets, coal and other items to
countries in war. Anyway, it did not make
the country prosper

17. Domino Effect
-Most of the fighting
took place in
Western Europe,
even though the
conflict started in
the Balkans in
Eastern Europe

18. Results-OVERVIEW
-Stalemate
-Trench Warfare
-No real movement
for 4 years!

19. Results- OVERVIEW
1914-1918
10,000,000
45,000,000
1,350,000,000
27,900,000
11,250,000
414,000,000
22,500,000
Dead
Wounded
Pounds of bone and flesh
Pounds of brain matter
Gallons of blood
Years of life not lived
Children not born