This document provides an overview of World War I and its causes and consequences. It discusses how WWI was the first global conflict drawing multiple nations due to imperial alliances. New weapon technologies changed warfare. The war resulted in the collapse of old empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. It led to revolutions ending some monarchies and the rise of new political ideologies. The war created new independent nations and redrew international relationships through new treaties. Among the causes discussed are imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the system of alliances between European powers which drew them into war.

1. The Great War
WWI
Introduction

2. What will we be looking at?
• Causes of the war
• Australia’s involvement
• Weapon technology
• Trench warfare
• Gallipoli
• Conscription
• Consequences of WWI - global impact
• AND LOTS MORE!

3. The war that changed the world...
First time multiple nations
had been drawn into a
conflict
Nations were drawn in due to
imperial ties and alliances
New weapon technologies
changed the way soldiers
fought
Australia’s first step into the
international field

4. The collapse of empires
e.g. Austrian-Hungarian and Ottoman empires
Revolutions were triggered that ended monarchies
e.g. Germany and Russia (Hapsberg’s and
Romanov’s respectively)
New political ideas emerged with the end of the war
e.g. Marxism / Fascism
End of WWI = new independent nations were created
End of WWI = new treaties and alliances were formed
Consequences of the war...

5. Causes of WWI
Imperialism
Militarism Alliances
Nationalism

6. Powers of the world
in the early 20th century
Imperialism
• Multiple European nations had become imperial powers that dominated
much of the world... i.e. Britain and France controlled much of Africa and
Asia, within Europe, Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary dominated many
of their neighboring countries and the Ottoman Empire ruled what we
now call the Middle East.
• Quest for ‘bigger and better’ territories was the main goal for many nations
• Colonies in other parts of the world, provided nations with extra income
and resources which could not be obtained in the ‘mother’ country... e.g.
Tea in India - controlled by Britain

8. Militarismmilitarism
(noun [ mass noun ] chiefly derogatory)
The belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to
defend or promote national interests.
• Germany: large army & economically strong
• ‘sabre-rattling’ tactics to influence international
relationships
• Britain felt threatened so built up it’s own army!
• Everyone was feeling a bit wary...

9. Alliances
• Aim of alliances: discourage other powers from attacking
allied nations
Dual Alliance 1879: Germany & Austro-Hungarian Empire
Triple Alliance 1882: Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire & Italy
Rules:
Germany and Austria-Hungary would aid Italy, if Italy were attacked by France
Italy would stay neutral if Russia attacked Austria-Hungary
1894: Russia and France
Anglo-French Entente Cordiale 1904: Britain & France
Anglo-Russian alliance: Britain & Russia
turned into...
Triple Entente1907: Britain, Russia & France

10. Lets look at more information
from the textbook…
• Read the 2 handouts carefully (double-sided)
• Answer the questions under the heading
ANALYSIS AND USE OF SOURCES (Q. 3, 4a &
b, 5 & 6).