EUROPE ON THE VERGE OF WAR 1914 A German view of European
relationships in 1914.
Slide 4
EUROPE 1860 - 1870 CAVOUR VON BISMARCK ITALY UNITED 1860
GERMANY UNITED 1871
Slide 5
GERMANY IN 1871 Kaiser Wilhelm I Otto von Bismarck 1.The
creation of a single Germany state had been a long- standing
ambition of most German- speaking peoples. This was achieved in
1871, under the leadership of Prussia. 2.France had been the
dominant European power before the creation of Germany. France had
tried to stop unification by going to war with Prussia in 1870. She
was humiliatingly defeated. Germany took the French provinces of
Alsace and Lorraine. 3.France wanted revenge. Germany made sure her
armed forces were stronger than Frances. THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
1870-1871
Slide 6
A UNITED GERMANY - A UNITED EUROPE? How would other European
powers react to the uniting of Germany
Slide 7
FRANCE IN 1871 A-L La Revenge 1.France had been the dominant
power in Europe for almost 200 years. 2.French defeat by Prussia,
and the loss of Alsace and Lorraine, was a deep humiliation to
French pride. 3.France was determined to have revenge. She began to
build up her armed forces. REVOLUTIONS 1830 +1848
Slide 8
RUSSIA IN 1871 Tsar Alexander II TSAR NICHOLAS II (1894-1917
1.Russia had been Frances most powerful continental rival during
the Napoleonic Wars. 2.During the 19 th century, Russia turned away
from European affairs to concentrate on expansion eastwards into
Asia. 3.Russias position weakened during the course of the 19 th
century. She, largely, remained a peasant society, with little
industry, and ruled by repression.
Slide 9
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY IN 1871 POPULATION MIX WITHIN THE AUSTRO-
HUNGARIAN EMPIRE Franz-Joseph 1.Austria had been the traditional
power of Central Europe for several centuries. Like France she,
too, went to war with Prussia to prevent German union and she, too,
was defeated (in 1869). 2.Austria was a weakening power, and after
1871 her main concern was with extending her influence into the
Balkan area of southern Europe. 3.The internal divisions within the
Austro-Hungarian Empire itself also became more apparent, and
weakened Austrias position as a European power.
Slide 10
GREAT BRITAIN IN 1871 JOHN BULL QUEEN VICTORIA
INDUSTRIALISATION, EMPIRE AND TRADE ROYAL NAVY PROTECTOR OF THE
EMPIRE 1.Britain was the first country to industrialise. This gave
Britain a huge advantage, and she became rich and powerful. 2.She
possessed the worlds largest empire, ruling over a quarter of the
Earths territory. 3.Her main concerns were with protecting her
empire and developing trade. 4.Britain did not involve itself too
in European political and military affairs. She only stepped in
when she felt the balance of power was threatened.
Slide 11
1888 A NEW EMPEROR FOR GERMANY KAISER WILHELM II (1888-1918)
KAISER WILHELM II HIS PERSONAL AMBITIONS: Kaiser Wilhelm II was
obsessed with making Germany not only a European power but a world
power. Wilhelms actions increased tensions and distrust amongst the
European powers. Germany became caught in an arms race on two
fronts military with France, naval with Britain.
Slide 12
THE NAVAL RACE 1906-1914 THE GERMAN CHALLENGE TO BRITAINS NAVAL
SUPREMACY Kaiser Wilhelm and King George V 1.Germany had
traditionally enjoyed friendly relations with Great Britain.
2.Wilhelms ambitions for a world empire soured relations between
Britain and Germany. Germany would need to build a large navy in
order to acquire colonies. This led to a Naval Race (1906- 1914)
3.By building a strong navy, Germany persuaded Britain into joining
with France and Russia in the Triple Entente.
Slide 13
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALLIANCE SYSTEMS: THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE AND
THE TRIPLE ENTENTE.
Slide 14
SERBIA 1908-1914 1.Turkey was known as the Sick Man of Europe.
It was losing control over its empire in the Balkans, in southern
Europe 2.Both Austria-Hungary and Russia were interested in taking
over the Balkan region. 3.By the start of the 20 th century, many
Balkan peoples had won their independence from Turkey 4.Serbia was
the most powerful of these new nations. It was her wish to unite
all Serb peoples. 5.This led to bitter rivalry with
Austria-Hungary.
Slide 15
ASSASSINATION AT SARAJEVO 28 TH July 1914
Slide 16
THE ALLIANCE SYSTEMS GO INTO ACTION ? ?
Slide 17
EVENTS AND CAUSES OF WORLD WAR ONE 1871 - UNIFICATION OF
GERMANY. DEFEAT OF FRANCE. FRENCH DESIRE FOR REVENGE RECOVER ALSACE
AND LORRAINE MILITARY ARMS RACE BEGINS BETWEEN FRANCE AND GERMANY.
ARMIES INCREASE IN SIZE. 1888 - WILHELM II BECOMES KAISER. HIS
AMBITIONS FOR GERMANY RAISE TENSIONS BETWEEN THE GREAT POWERS.
1879-1907: FORMATION OF THE ALLIANCE SYSTEMS: TRIPLE ALLIANCE:
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy. TRIPLE ENTENTE: France, Russia,
Great Britain. NAVAL RACE 1906-1914; WILHELMS AMBITIONS FOR EMPIRE
THREATENS BRITAINS SECURITY 1908-1914 - RIVALRY IN THE BALKANS
BETWEEN SERBIA AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY JULY 1914 - ASSASSINATION AT
SARAJEVO