Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Why is important?
What happened to him and his wife that sparked conflict?
Straw that broke the camels back
There were others reasons for the war but this event started it.
The Causes of WWI
•Militarism*
•Alliances*
•Imperialism*
•Nationalism*
• First total war in history (soldiers & civilians)
•The war lasted 4 yrs.
• In August 1914 it involved only 7 European
countries but by November 1918 there were over
30 countries fighting
• Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, Africa,
and in the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans
• Resulted in revolutions, changes of
governments, loss of empires, the rise of
great new powers, and millions of death
•The belief in the
power of strong
Military to be in
control.*
•Based on the idea
that if a nation is
strong, then no
enemy would dare to
attack it.
•Germany contained
Europe’s strongest
army while Great
Britain had the
world’s strongest
navy.
•European nations were
becoming increasingly
alarmed by the others’
military power.
•Alliances are formed when countries band
together against a common cause.*
•In 1914 we had two alliances:
2.The Central
1. The Allies:
Powers:
•Great Britain
•Germany
•France
•Austria•United States
Hungary
•Italy
• Turkey
•Russia
•Bulgaria
•Imperialism is
creating colonies away
from the homeland and
building an empire.*
•Colonies provided raw
materials, markets for
goods, and military
strength for many
European countries.
•Arguments over colonies
and trade constantly
threatened peace.
•Nationalism is a
feeling of deep loyalty
to one’s nation.*
•Extreme nationalism
was causing problems
in the early 20th century.
•Archduke Franz
Ferdinand was killed by a
Serb nationalist Gavrilo
Princip, who belonged to
the Black Hand, while
visiting Sarajevo.
How Nationalism led to war…
• Serbia was part of the Austria-Hungary Empire
• Serbs resented foreign domination – wanted to
rule themselves
• Nationalism Organization – Black Hand
assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand (royal
prince) – attempt to gain independence
• Serbian gov’t was blamed – Germany prodded
Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia – To
crush the national movement and maintain order
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
•The Austro-Hungarian government blamed Serbia for
the archduke Franz Ferdinand’s death
•Austria-Hungary sent conditions to the Serbian
Government. The Serbian Government did not accept all
the conditions.
•Austria-Hungary with support from Germany went to
war against Serbia.
•All the alliances then came into affect…The World War.
• Name the two alliances that existed in Europe in 1914?
• What countries belonged to these alliances?
• What is nationalism? What role did it play in the outbreak
of war?
• What role did it play in the assassination of Franz
Ferdinand?
• How did imperialism cause problems between nations in
the years leading to outbreak of war in 1914.
• What is militarism?
• Name the two alliances that existed in Europe in 1914?
Central Powers and allied Powers
•
What countries belonged to these alliances?
• What is nationalism? What role did it play in the outbreak of war?
Deep loyalty to country. Extreme nationalism
• What role did it play in the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?
Serbians killed Ferdinand to send a message – GET OUT!
• How did imperialism cause problems between nations in the years
leading to outbreak of war in 1914. countries resented being ruled
• What is militarism? Belief in a strong military in control – if military
is strong, no one who go against the country