World War I

Causes, Alliances, and the Battles Begin

Cause #1- Nationalism

• Definition- The feeling that a specific nation, language, or culture is superior to all others.

• Became a force for unification in Europe and throughout the world

• “We are a Nation”

Cause #2 -Imperialism

• Definition- Competition amongst Nations to build the largest overseas empires

Cause #2 Imperialism

• England, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia all wanted empires overseas and in Europe

• Tension builds

Cause #3- Militarism

• Relationships in Europe grew more strained

• Countries built up their armies aggressively

• By 1913, Germany had the most powerful Army in the world

New Alliances

Trying to create a “balance of power”No one would start a war without a real advantage!

Triple Alliance member #1- Germany

• In 1879 Germany allied with Austria- Hungary

Triple Alliance Member #2- Austria- Hungary

• What?• This consists of what

is now Austria and Hungary

Triple Alliance member #3- Italy

• Joined Austria- Hungary and Germany in 1882

Triple Entente member #1- France

• Concerned by Germany’s Alliance, France formed a military alliance with Russia in 1893

Triple Entente member #2- Russia

• Joined with France in 1893

• Reached an understanding with Britain in 1907.

Triple Entente member #3- Britain

• Britain feared Germany’s growing naval power, they reached entente (or understanding), 1st with France, next with Russia

Who are they?

• Triple EntenteFrance

Russia

Britain

• Triple Alliance

• Italy

• Germany

• Austria- Hungary

STAY TUNED…

For the Spark that ignited war and beyond!

The Spark that lit the fuse.

• 1908- Austria- Hungary annexed Bosnia

• Slavic nationalists (Bosnians)wanted to ally with Serbia

• Black Hand- group that used violence and were nationalists

19 year old Black Hand member Gaurilo Princip assassinates

some one! • Who?• Archduke Franz

Ferdinand (heir to thrown of Austria- Hungary)

• When?• June 28, 1914• Where?• Sarajevo

Result: World War I Begins

Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia(Russian ally)

Everybody fulfills commitments

Central Powers

• Austria- Hungary• Germany• Bulgaria• Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers

• Britain• France• Russia• Italy• What?

COMING SOON…

THE BATTLES BEGIN!

1st Battle of the Marne (September 1914)

• German Army was within 25 miles of Paris (Schlieffen Plan)

• French Troops launched a counterattack at the Marne River

• Germans retreated

• Trench Warfare ensues

• 200,000 + -French and Germans killed

Battle of Verdun (February 1916- December 1916)

• French Verdun- town with Forts

• German would advance and try to “bleed” France to death- attack eventually called off

• Longest WWI battle

• Over 250, 000 killed

• French determination

Battle of the Somme (July 1 to November 18- 1916)

• Chief Ally attack• 20,000 British killed

on first day (record)• Goals- kill soldiers

and gain territory• Eventually called off

2nd Battle of the Marne (July 15- September 16 -1918)

• Germany’s last and desperate offense

• U.S.A. blew up every bridge on the Marne that Germans built

• U.S.A.- 30, 000 killed and wounded