Setting the Stage Setting the Stage for for

World War IWorld War I

Bell RingerBell Ringer

What unites people?What unites people? What divides people?What divides people? What causes alliances to form?What causes alliances to form? Should you always support a friend Should you always support a friend

no matter what he or she does?no matter what he or she does?

Background InformationBackground Information Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

Goal of German Chancellor Otto von Goal of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (Blood & Iron) was to unify Bismarck (Blood & Iron) was to unify Germany under Prussian ControlGermany under Prussian Control

France loses Alsace-Lorraine to GermanyFrance loses Alsace-Lorraine to Germany Increased tensions between the two nationsIncreased tensions between the two nations Bismarck feared retaliation of France, so he Bismarck feared retaliation of France, so he

aligned Germany with Russia, Italy, & aligned Germany with Russia, Italy, & Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary

Wanted to isolate France from continental Wanted to isolate France from continental EuropeEurope

New LeaderNew Leader

Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes ruler of Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes ruler of Germany in 1890Germany in 1890

Grandson of Queen VictoriaGrandson of Queen Victoria Cousin of George V of England and Cousin of George V of England and

Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia Proud & stubborn manProud & stubborn man Forces Bismarck to resign because he Forces Bismarck to resign because he

did not want to share power with did not want to share power with anyoneanyone

We have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun.   It will now be my task to see to it that this place in the sun shall remain our undisputed possession, in order that the sun's rays may fall fruitfully upon our activity and trade in foreign parts...   The more Germans go out upon the waters, whether it be in journeys across the ocean, or in the service of the battle flag, so much the better it will be for us.

A speech by Kaiser Wilhelm to the North German Regatta Association, 1901

Kaiser Wilhelm II

•Germany begins to build its own colonial empire

•Begins shipbuilding program in an effort to make the German navy equal to Britain’s

Shifting AlliancesShifting Alliances

In 1890 Wilhelm II let Germany’s In 1890 Wilhelm II let Germany’s treaty with Russia lapsetreaty with Russia lapse

Russia turns around and signs a Russia turns around and signs a treaty with Francetreaty with France

Britain forms the Triple Entente with Britain forms the Triple Entente with Russia & France guaranteeing Russia & France guaranteeing Britain would not fight against themBritain would not fight against them

ImperialismImperialism Nations of Europe Nations of Europe

competing with competing with

one another one another

for colonies in for colonies in

Africa & AsiaAfrica & Asia

MilitarismMilitarism

Nations took a militaristic stance in Nations took a militaristic stance in order to acquire & protect coloniesorder to acquire & protect colonies

Dissuade aggression by rivalsDissuade aggression by rivals Britain introduced 1Britain introduced 1stst dreadnought dreadnought Nations wanted to be able to Nations wanted to be able to

mobilize quickly in case of warmobilize quickly in case of war Having a large army made citizens Having a large army made citizens

feel patrioticfeel patriotic

NationalismNationalism

United under NationalismUnited under Nationalism Germany & Italy had great feelings of Germany & Italy had great feelings of

national pride because they had only national pride because they had only recently become united, independent recently become united, independent countriescountries

Torn Apart by NationalismTorn Apart by Nationalism Austria-Hungary had problems with Austria-Hungary had problems with

nationalism because many of their nationalism because many of their people were ethnic minoritiespeople were ethnic minorities

Nationalism In the Nationalism In the BalkansBalkans

People with diverse religions, ethnic People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languagesbackgrounds, languages

As Ottoman Empire receded, new As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were bornnations were born

Russia & Austria competed for Russia & Austria competed for control of new nationscontrol of new nations

Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 & Serbia resents this1908 & Serbia resents this

Assassination of the Assassination of the ArchdukeArchduke

Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital on Austria visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914June 28, 1914

7 assassins from the Black Hand, a 7 assassins from the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, plot Serbian nationalist group, plot against himagainst him

19 year old Gavrilo Princip shot the 19 year old Gavrilo Princip shot the Archduke and his wifeArchduke and his wife

Austria-Hungary’s Austria-Hungary’s UltimatumUltimatum

Germany gives “blank check” of Germany gives “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungarymilitary support to Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to Serbiato Serbia

Serbia refuses to let Austria-Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s officials run an Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbiainvestigation in Serbia

Austria-Hungary declared war on Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914Serbia on July 28, 1914

The Alliance System The Alliance System leads to Warleads to War

Russia supported Serbia & Germany Russia supported Serbia & Germany supported Austria-Hungarysupported Austria-Hungary

Russia mobilizes its armies moving Russia mobilizes its armies moving toward German & Austrian frontierstoward German & Austrian frontiers

Russia did not back down & France Russia did not back down & France did not declare its neutrality, did not declare its neutrality, therefore Germany declared war on therefore Germany declared war on the two nationsthe two nations

The Schlieffen PlanThe Schlieffen Plan

Germany would fight the French first Germany would fight the French first and then turn its attention towards and then turn its attention towards RussiaRussia

Germany reasoned that Russia would Germany reasoned that Russia would have difficulty mobilizing its troops have difficulty mobilizing its troops because of the lack of railroads in because of the lack of railroads in RussiaRussia

Would have to finish off the French fast Would have to finish off the French fast and then turn its attention to Russiaand then turn its attention to Russia

Germany invades Germany invades BelgiumBelgium

Germany invades neutral BelgiumGermany invades neutral Belgium Great Britain honors the Treaty of Great Britain honors the Treaty of

London that declared Belgium neutrality London that declared Belgium neutrality and declares war on Germanyand declares war on Germany

AlliancesAlliances Central Powers: Germany & Austria Central Powers: Germany & Austria

Hungary (later Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire)Hungary (later Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire) Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, & Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, &

RussiaRussia