World War IWorld War I Nick R. Priessnitz Nick R. Priessnitz

In 1871, the ranks of the great In 1871, the ranks of the great powers included Germany, France, powers included Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and ItalyItaly

Germany: By 1871, German’s chancellor, Otto Germany: By 1871, German’s chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, regarded Germany a satisfied von Bismarck, regarded Germany a satisfied powerpower

Germany had achieved national unification and Germany had achieved national unification and had no further territorial ambitions (in Western had no further territorial ambitions (in Western Europe) – Germany’s goal at this point was to Europe) – Germany’s goal at this point was to promote its economic development and maintain promote its economic development and maintain its position as the most powerful state on the its position as the most powerful state on the European continentEuropean continent

Peace and stability in Europe was necessary, in Peace and stability in Europe was necessary, in Bismarck’s view, by isolating FranceBismarck’s view, by isolating France

France: Desired to regain access to France: Desired to regain access to Alsace and Lorraine (which it had lost Alsace and Lorraine (which it had lost to Germany) – check the next slide to Germany) – check the next slide for a map of Alsace and Lorrainefor a map of Alsace and Lorraine

The French were too weak to The French were too weak to challenge Germany without an allychallenge Germany without an ally

Great Britain: Wanted to maintain its Great Britain: Wanted to maintain its isolation from the affairs of the European isolation from the affairs of the European continent, however…continent, however…– Britain’s overseas empire at this point was Britain’s overseas empire at this point was

large and Germany had begun to show interest large and Germany had begun to show interest in expanding its overseas colonization as well – in expanding its overseas colonization as well – this along with Germany’s effort to build up a this along with Germany’s effort to build up a comparable naval fleet close to the level of the comparable naval fleet close to the level of the British Empire was threatening British Empire was threatening

– Britain’s imperial ambitions in Africa and Asia Britain’s imperial ambitions in Africa and Asia also conflicted with those of France also conflicted with those of France (check out the (check out the next slide for a map on 19next slide for a map on 19thth century imperialism) century imperialism)

Austria: Sought to limit growing Slavic Austria: Sought to limit growing Slavic nationalism within its own borders – Slavic nationalism within its own borders – Slavic nationalism threatened its survival nationalism threatened its survival

Russia – continued its expansionist policies Russia – continued its expansionist policies in an effort to advance its power in both in an effort to advance its power in both East Asia and in the Balkans East Asia and in the Balkans – However, this was a period of instability for However, this was a period of instability for

Russia. The Tsar’s grip over his country was Russia. The Tsar’s grip over his country was significantly weak – He knew a military victory significantly weak – He knew a military victory might strengthen his rule politically might strengthen his rule politically

Italy: Sought opportunities to Italy: Sought opportunities to advance its claims to great-power advance its claims to great-power status. Its efforts to build a North status. Its efforts to build a North African empire led to disputes with African empire led to disputes with FranceFrance

The Sarajevo CrisisThe Sarajevo Crisis On June 24On June 24thth, the final crisis began at Sarajevo, , the final crisis began at Sarajevo,

the capital of the Austrian province of Bosniathe capital of the Austrian province of Bosnia– A South Slav nationalist, Gavril Princip, assassinated A South Slav nationalist, Gavril Princip, assassinated

Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, and his wifethrone, and his wife

– A secret South Slav nationalist organization, Union or A secret South Slav nationalist organization, Union or Death, also known as the Black Hand, had planned the Death, also known as the Black Hand, had planned the assassination and had assisted Princip in carrying it outassassination and had assisted Princip in carrying it out

– Why was he assassinated? Serbian militants were Why was he assassinated? Serbian militants were seeking Serbian independence – the division and seeking Serbian independence – the division and “picking apart” of the Balkans by the Ottomans, “picking apart” of the Balkans by the Ottomans, Russians, Germans, and the Austrians laid the Russians, Germans, and the Austrians laid the foundation for these countries/empires to go to warfoundation for these countries/empires to go to war

– It was believed that Serbian officials were aware of the It was believed that Serbian officials were aware of the plot against the Archduke but did nothing to warn or plot against the Archduke but did nothing to warn or prevent itprevent it

Convinced that the Serbian government Convinced that the Serbian government bore responsibility for the assassination, bore responsibility for the assassination, Austria determined to settle accounts with Austria determined to settle accounts with SerbiaSerbia

The Austrians declared war on the Balkan The Austrians declared war on the Balkan country of Serbia on July 28country of Serbia on July 28thth 1914 1914

Germany had indicated its readiness to Germany had indicated its readiness to support Austria fully – they almost seemed support Austria fully – they almost seemed to be encouraging the Austrians to move to be encouraging the Austrians to move against Serbia, whatever the risk of a against Serbia, whatever the risk of a general war might begeneral war might be

It was impossible for the Russians to It was impossible for the Russians to accept a setback in the Balkans – accept a setback in the Balkans – they were determined to back Serbiathey were determined to back Serbia

July 30 Tsar Nicholas II ordered a July 30 Tsar Nicholas II ordered a general mobilization of his armiesgeneral mobilization of his armies– Germany responded by sending Russia Germany responded by sending Russia

an ultimatum – demanding an end to an ultimatum – demanding an end to Russian mobilization or warRussian mobilization or war

– The Russians refused and Germany The Russians refused and Germany declared war on Russia on August 1declared war on Russia on August 1

Germany asked the French Germany asked the French government how they would respond government how they would respond in the event of a Russo-German war – in the event of a Russo-German war – France responded that it would act in France responded that it would act in accordance with its interestsaccordance with its interests– August 3 – Germany declared war on August 3 – Germany declared war on

FranceFrance

The Schlieffen Plan: this German strategy called The Schlieffen Plan: this German strategy called for a massive attack on France – the Germans for a massive attack on France – the Germans needed to remove France as a threat first before needed to remove France as a threat first before dealing with Russia – the plan called for a quick dealing with Russia – the plan called for a quick mobilization of German troops against France and mobilization of German troops against France and then they could concentrate their efforts on then they could concentrate their efforts on Russian mobilization Russian mobilization

Of course, Germany had decided to enter France Of course, Germany had decided to enter France by way of Belgium – this violated Belgian by way of Belgium – this violated Belgian neutrality which the European powers had neutrality which the European powers had guaranteed by treaty in 1839guaranteed by treaty in 1839

When German troops invaded Belgium on August When German troops invaded Belgium on August 3, Great Britain declared war on Germany the 3, Great Britain declared war on Germany the following day following day

WW1 Documentary Video: WW1 Documentary Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmgQ_LoOcwww.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmgQ_LoOcww

Assignment: Please do the DBQ for Chapter Assignment: Please do the DBQ for Chapter 25 located on pages 1086 and 1087 of 25 located on pages 1086 and 1087 of your text your text - assignment should be typed, double - assignment should be typed, double spaced, times new roman, 12 size font – spaced, times new roman, 12 size font – use the video from above as well as the use the video from above as well as the pictures from your text to assist you in pictures from your text to assist you in constructing your essay constructing your essay