Causes of World
War I
The long fuses and
national identities
I. Nationalism

Intense feelings of national pride were built up
and encouraged in all the major powers.
 The
French were taught to want revenge for the
loss of Alsace-Lorraine.
 Germans want to be seen as an international power
 Britain- The empire on which the sun never sets
II. Imperialism


Competition between France, Great
Britain, Germany and, Italy in Africa.
Disputes between Austria-Hungary,
Russia, and Serbia over the condition of
the Balkans.
Imperialism

Russia wanted Serbia as the core of an
independent Slavic state -Yugoslavia.
 “Pan-Slavism”
Slavic people.

Unification and cooperation of all
Austria-Hungary viewed the Balkans as
potential colonial territory.
III. Militarism

The technological revolution created an arms
race across Europe.
Germany & France- Competition for army
sizes and artillery.
Germany & Britain – Rivalry for Naval
Supremacy & sea trade
IV. Inter-tangling Secret Alliances
Due to the upset in the European balance of
power caused by German unification, nations
looked for allies to improve their own
security.
 If you do not defend your ally, nobody will
defend you

Inter-Tangling Secret Alliances
Triple Entente – England, France, & Russia
 Dual Alliance between France and Russia was
intended to provide mutual support.
 Great Britain would defend France only if a
German attack threatened British interests.
Britain would not tolerate France or Germany
occupying Belgium.

Inter-tangling Secret Alliances
Central Powers (Triple Alliance) Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
 A threat on any member brings all allies
into war.
 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
and Germany follows suit.

Great Britain
How others see them:
Industrial superpower with the world’s strongest navy
Allies:


Will Defend France and/or Belguim if they are
invaded
Will not sign an official alliance that could pull them
into a conflict defending Russia
Germany
How others see them:


New, growing nation with ambitions of power.
Rapidly advancing army & navy
Allies:

Austria-Hungary, Italy, Ottoman Empire
Italy
How others see them:

New, growing nation with weaker military and
internal conflict
Allies:

Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire
France
How others see them:


Historically powerful continental power
Strong imperial presence in Africa
Allies:


Dual alliance with Russia
Assumed support from Britain if invaded
Austria-Hungary
How others see them:


Historic dynasty (Hapsburgs) with slightly weaker
military
Controls the Balkans as imperial colonies
Allies:

Germany, Italy, Ottoman Empire
Russia
How others see them:


Big and backwards!
Likely need at least 6 weeks to mobilize
Allies:


Dual-alliance with France
No guarantees with Britain
Schlieffen Plan