2. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR

2.1. THE CAUSES OF THE WAR

OVERALL CONTEXT

• IMPERIALISM

• Expansion and consolidation of empires.

• NATIONALISM

• National proud.

• Desire of independence of some European peoples.

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS

• CRISIS IN MOROCCO

• Germany wanted French colonies in Africa and to avoid an Anglo-French control of the Strait of Gibraltar.

• BALKANS CONFLICT

• Consequence of the Turkish collapse.

THE BALKANS CONFLICT

THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE

INFLUENCE ON SLAVIC PEOPLE IN

THE BALKANS = SERBIA AS A

LOCAL POWER

CONTROL THE BOSPORUS AND DARDANELLES

STRAITS (BLACK SEA AND RUSSIAN

NAVY)

THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN

EMPIRE

OCCUPATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SOME BALKAN

TERRITORIES (BOSNIA-

HERZEGOVINA)

CONTROL THE BOSPORUS AND DARDANELLES

STRAITS

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

CONTROL THE BOSPORUS AND DARDANELLES

STRAITS

BALKAN COUNTRIES

FIRST WAR - AGAINST THE

TURKISH EMPIRE

SECOND WAR - AMONG

THEMSELVES FOR THE DOMINANCE OF THE REGION

2.2. THE OUTBREAK OF WAR