World War I Begins1914-1918SWBAT: Identify the causes of WWI and explain why the U.S. chose neutrality.

Homework: Vocabulary Sheet

Do Now: With a partner, try to define the following terms:NationalismMilitarism

Given the definitions you have come up with, do you think these things are good or bad? Explain.

The Causes…

Causes of WWI

1900 1914

Tensions

War

Cause 1: Imperialism

Imperialism: land and empire rivalries

1900 1914

Tensions

War

Imperialism and Europeans• European powers are competing for land, influence, and power around

the world.• Remember these maps???

Empire of Great Britain

Imperialism and Competition• All the great powers were competing for:

Raw materials Cheap labor and soldiers People to tax

• Created competition between the countries: the biggest and most successful empire wins.

• Competition leads to hostility between the great powers.

Cause 2: Nationalism

Imperialism: land and empire rivalries

Nationalism

1900 1914

Tensions

War

Nationalism in Europe• Early 20th century was a time when all nations strived for self- determination: a country asserting their autonomy, power, and independence.

• Two Kinds1. Countries looking to become independent: i.e. Slavs from Serbia wanted to be free of Austria-Hungarian rule.

Situations like these made large empires weak.2. Other countries reorganized themselves as strong nations: i.e. German states come together to create one large, strong nation.

Cause 3: Alliance System

Imperialism: land and empire rivalries

Alliance System

Nationalism

1900 1914

Tensions

War

The Creation of the Triple Alliance

• In 1882 Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy promise to come to the aid of another should they be attacked.

Creation of the Triple Entente

• In 1907 Great Britain, France, and Russia form an alliance similar to that of the Triple Alliance promising to protect one another if another country should attack another.

The Alliance System by 1914• What is the problem with an alliance system so intricate?

Cause 4: Militarism

Imperialism: land and empire rivalries

Militarism

Alliance System

Nationalism

1900 1914

Tensions

War

Imperialist Empires need big Armies

• Having colonies all over the world meant you needed an army big enough to handle problems all over the world.

• In addition to competition over land, competition also occurred over the armed forces: Great Britain and Germany were fighting to make the biggest navies. Germany was competing with France and Russia to create the largest armies

Arms build up between 1880-19141880 1914Germany 1.3 m 5.0 mFrance .73 m 4.0 mRussia .40 m 1.2 m

Cause 5: Assassination

Imperialism: land and empire rivalries

Assassination of Franz

Ferdinand

Militarism

Alliance System

Nationalism

1900 1914

Tensions

War

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LAgDuNZU8A

Causes of WWI

1900 1914

Tensions

War