Causes of World War IUS History: Spiconardi

Long Term Causes

Militarism• Militarism Build up of

the military▫ The nations of Europe

were competing in an arms race and increased spending on their militaries

HMS Dreadnought; this British battleship really got the arms race going

Alliances• Alliances Countries

formed agreements for protection against one another

Imperialism• Imperialism

▫ The European powers competed over obtaining raw materials and territorial possessions

▫ Each wanted to be the premier empire attain economic dominance

Nationalism• Nationalism extreme

pride in one’s nation▫ In the Balkans, certain

states wanted independence

▫ Other European nations had extreme loyalty & devotion to their country

▫ Nationalism created mistrust and national rivalries

The Balkans 1914

ilitarism

lliances

mperialism

ationalism

The Long Term

Causes of World War I

Short Term Causes

The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand

•Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Read account)▫Balkans was referred to as the “Powder

Keg” One event could spark a war

• Austria-Hungary gives Serbia an ultimatum▫End propaganda against Austria-Hungary▫Suppress opposition movement

• Serbia mobilizes forces▫ Germany backs Austria-Hungary▫ Russia backs Serbia

• Germany declares war on Russia• Germany then declares war on Russia’s ally

France• Germany invades Belgium to have easier

access to France• WORLD WAR I BEGINS

The Short Term

Causes of World War I