“The Great War”

Or, "Some damn foolish thing in the Balkans,” (says Otto Von Bismarck) that sets off WWI!

Question of Alsace-Lorraine?

Disputed territory between France and Germany

Led to the creation of alliances

Two Alliances lead to war…

Triple Alliance– Germany– Austria-Hungary– Italy

Triple Entente– France– Great Britain– Russia

The Spark that sets off the Powder Keg!

June 28, 1914 Gavrilo Princip, a

Serbian nationalist, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary!

The Archduke and his wife Sophie arrive in Sarajevo

                        

      

So here we go…

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

Russia gathers troops to declare war on Germany and defend their ally, Serbia.

And then…

Germany declares war on Russia and France, since France supported Russia’s actions!

Germany invades NEUTRAL Belgium on August 4, 1914 (King Albert, Belgium)

There’s more…!

Great Britain enters for Allies to defend Belgium

British Prime Minister Asquith

The Opposing Sides

Central Powers– Germany– Austria-Hungary– Turkey– Bulgaria– And all their allies

and colonies!

The Allied Powers– Britain– France– Russia– Italy (switches sides

here!)– And all their allies

and colonies!

Where’s the U.S.A.?

Staying outta this one! (Well, trying to…) But FAVORING their

friend Great Britain! US President

Woodrow Wilson declares NEUTRALITY

MAP p. 455! p. 779 for the water.