Homework

• HW WW-2 due tomorrow

• DBQ due Monday

Aim #1: What were the causes of World War I?

• Introductory Question: Define the following terms:–Militarism –Alliances–Imperialism –Nationalism

I. Causes of World War I → Nations of Europe go to war in 1914 for four major reasons:

A. Militarism – Massive military buildup in European countries

during the late 1800s, early 1900s.

– Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations.

Why could this lead to war?

I. Causes of World War IB. Alliances– Nations formed

partnerships to protect themselves from rival countries

• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy• Triple Entente: Great

Britain, France and Russia

Why could this lead to war?

I. Causes of World War IC. Imperialism – During the late 1800s/early 1900s, Germany,

France, Russia and Great Britain are all trying to build empires in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Why could this lead to war?

I. Causes of World War I

D. Nationalism – Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture

increased in the late 1800s.

– Nationalist rivalries between European countries grow: British and the Germans compete to have the best economy, France is still angry about losing to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).

Why could this lead to war?

II. “Spark” of World War I

A. Conflict in the Balkans – Serbia is a nation of Slavic people with a

strong sense of nationalism. Serbia wants to take over Bosnia and Herzgovina, which also had large Slavic populations. Problem is, B & H are controlled by Austria-Hungary!

– Russia (also a Slavic country) supports Serbia. Austria-Hungary is backed up by Germany.

– “Powder keg” of Europe

II. “Spark” of World War IB. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie are visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. They are murdered by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian who wants to rid Bosnia of Austrian rule.

C. War begins because of the alliancesa. Austria-Hungry declared war on

Serbia to get back at them for killing the Archduke

b. Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary to help Serbia.

c. Austria-Hungary’s allies (Germany, Italy) and Russia’s allies (Great Britain, France) now have to go to war with each other.

Critical Thinking Question

• Of the four MAIN causes of World War I, which one do you think was MOST important in making World War I possible? Why?