WORLD WAR I

Causes of World War I

Causes Explanation

imperialism the policy of one

nation acquiringanother countryor region

European nations - Great Powers - established colonies to create empires

they exploited the land and resources they wanted raw materials and markets for their

manufactured goods European empires aggressively pursued colonies in Africa Germany in conflict with Britain and France Russia, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman empires wanted to control

Balkans

militarism a nation’s policy of

maintaining armedforces ready for war

Great Powers developed strong military to protect colonies Britain had the largest navy and Germany wanted to match it Britain built the Dreadnought and Germany built it as well France concerned about German military strength arms race increased tension

alliances agreement among

nations toward acommon goal

rivalries between Great Powers resulted in alliancesto support and protect one another

Triple Alliance : Germany and Austria-Hungary vsTriple Entente: France, Britain, Russia

Great Powers hoped alliances would reduce the threat of war alliances made it easier for a country to be drawn into war

nationalism pride and patriotism

in one’s nation

Great Powers’ nationalism fueled imperialism intense nationalism existed in Balkans as Austria-Hungary

contained Slavs who wanted independence Serbs in Bosnia wanted independence from Austria Serbia wanted control of Bosnia and unite Slavs to from

Greater Serbia

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassination heir to Austrian

throne

June 28 assassination of Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Serbian Gavrilo Princip of the Black Hand triggered a chain reaction that started the war

Schlieffen Plan German invasion plan

August 2 Germany invades neutral Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan for attacking France

Steps to War – June 28-August 4 1914

June 28 – Austrian Archduke Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Serb nationalist

July 23 - Austria gives Serbia 48 hour ultimatum; Serbia does not agree to all terms and mobilizes

July 28 - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Serbia turns to Russia for help

July 29 - Russian Czar Nicholas agrees to help Serbia and mobilizes army

July 30 - Germany sends Russia ultimatum to halt mobilization; Russia refuses

August 1 - German declares war on Russia; France mobilizes army

August 2 - Germany invades neutral Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan for attacking France

August 3 - Germany declares war on France; Britain gives German ultimatum to halt invasion of Belgium

August 4 - Germany does not reply to British ultimatum; Britain declares war on Germany