World War I

1. Militarism

• Definition: The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for War

• To be a great power, European nations believed you must have a powerful military

• To be a great power, means you must mobilize quickly in case of war

• What do you think??

2. Alliances

• Otto von Bismark fears that the French will want their lands back (Alsace and Lorraine) took during Franco-Prussian War and unification

• Bismark makes alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia (even though AH and R are bitter enemies)

• Kaiser Wilhelm II ends Russia’s treaty and sets out to make Germany’s power known throughout the world what is this known as?

3. Imperialism

• Quest for colonies often pushed Europeans to the brink of war– 1905 and 1911, France and Germany clash over

Morocco• Competition for overseas empires rivalry

and distrust deepened

4. Nationalism

• Deep devotions to one’s country• Competition for materials and markets (makes

a country stronger!)– Great Britain and Germany competed for industrial

dominance• Territorial disputes– France and GermanyAlsace-Lorraine)– Austria-Hungary and Russia over control of the

Balkans– In the Balkans- increased

Alsace-Lorraine

Europe’s Powder Keg

• New nations after the Crimean War- Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia

• Serbia hoped to absorb all Slavs into its country Russia supported b/c of similar Slavic heritage

• Austria-Hungary is fearful of Serbian power because of its large Slavic population (NO REVOLTS!)

http://www.nytimes.com/specials/bosnia/context/history.html

Europe’s Powder Keg, continued

• 1908: Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovia

• Russia stands behind Serbia• Germany gives Austria-Hungary full support

(Russia and Serbia back down)

A shot rings throughout Europe

• Heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife visit Sarajevo (the capital of Bosnia)

• Gavrilo Princip shot them. He was a member of the Black Hand, a secret society committed to riding Bosnia of Austrian rule.

• He was also Serbian

• Austria, with the support of an angry Germany, gives Serbia an ultimatum, which is a list of demands that if not met, will lead to serious consequences

• Serbian knew that they could not defeat Austria, so they agree to most of the demands and gave an offer to have the others settled by an international conference

• Austria refuses negations and declares war on Serbia

• Russian mobilizes its troops and other Europeans are alarmed

Credits

• http://www.ww1-propaganda-cards.com/