Questions to think about as we learn how WWI
started:
• How can new technology affect
warfare?
• Why did the war become a stalemate on
the Western Front?
• What led to the fall of the czarist regime
in Russia?
• What effect did peace settlements have
on Europe after World War I?
The BIG Idea
Competition Among Countries Militarism,
nationalism, and a crisis in the Balkans led to
World War I.
Should a country support one of its
allies under all circumstances?
Causes of the War
Nationalism, militarism, and a system of alliances
contributed to the start of World War I.
Alliances= Strength with friends
Causes of the War (cont.)
• Two alliances were created dividing Europe
along national lines.
– Triple Alliance:
Germany,
Austria-Hungary,
and Italy
– Triple Entente:
France, Great
Britain, and
Russia
Causes of the War (cont.)
• Rivalries over colonies and trouble in the
Balkans left European nations resentful of each
other and eager for revenge.
• Nations began to adopt a
policy of militarism, or a
readiness for war. They
established conscription
to ensure an adequate
supply of troops.
Causes of the War (cont.)
• Nationalism resulted in ethnic groups who
had not become nations dreaming about
their own national states.
• Growing socialist
labor movements
encouraged
leaders to enter
the war in order
to suppress
internal disorder
at home.
The Outbreak of War
Serbia’s determination to become a large,
independent state angered Austria-Hungary and
started hostilities.
Serbia was determined
to create a vast
independent Slavic
state, a vision supported
by Russia and greatly
opposed by AustriaHungary.
The Spark that started the war…
On June 28, 1914,
Archduke Francis
Ferdinand, the heir to the
throne of Austria-Hungary,
visited Sarajevo, Bosnia.
The Outbreak of War (cont.)
• Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb,
assassinated the archduke and his wife.
Austria-Hungary was outraged and ready to
wage war on the Serbian government.
• Gavrilo Princip,
• Was a member of he black hand.
• Fire two shots hitting Francis in the
neck and his wife in the stomach.
• He was too young for the death
penalty at 19 years and was
sentence to 20 years in jail.
• Died of TB after 3 1/2years.
The Outbreak of War (cont.)
• The Austrian government feared
Russia would support Serbia so
they asked Germany for their
support.
• Emperor William II of Germany
promised Austria-Hungary full
support if war broke out with
Russia.
The Outbreak of War (cont.)
• On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on
Serbia.
• In response to Austria-Hungary’s declaration
of war, Russia’s Czar Nicholas II ordered
mobilization of the Russian army in order to
support Serbia.
• Germany reacted quickly and declared war
on Russia.
The Outbreak of War (cont.)
• General Alfred von Schlieffen of Germany
designed a plan for a two-front war against
Russia and France.
– Germany would
conduct a small holding
action against Russia.
– There would be a rapid
invasion of France.
The Outbreak of War (cont.)
• Great Britain declared war on Germany after
von Schlieffen violated Belgian neutrality by
demanding that German troops be allowed
to pass through Belgium.
• By August 4, all the Great Powers of Europe
were at war.
Which countries did Great Britain align with
at the beginning of the war?
A. Austria-Hungary and Germany
B. Germany and Russia
C. Russia and France
D. Serbia and Austria-Hungary
RECAP THE BIG IDEAS.
• Nationalism contributed to the start of World War I,
as rivals vied for colonies and trade.
• European nations increased
the size of their militaries,
heightening existing tensions.
• Serbia’s desire for an
independent state angered
Austria-Hungary.
The End
Next the War