Learning Target
I can Identify and
Analyze the MAIN
Causes of WW1.
Essential Question: For what reasons do people get involved in war and/or conflict with others?
MAIN Causes of WW1
1.Militarism
2.Alliances
3. Imperialism
4.Nationalism
(1) Militarism A state of extreme, aggressive military preparedness; a nationalistic glorification of the military. Often results in an arms race between nations.
Everyone wants to be “the biggest” and “the best”.
(2) Alliances A close association of nations acting together for a common objective such as for defense in case of an attack by an enemy.
In war, this leads to a “domino effect”.
(3) Imperialism The policy of forming and maintaining an empire, by establishing colonies and/or dominating the affairs of weaker nations.
The desire to be the biggest and best.
(4) Nationalism Loyalty and devotion to a nation, i.e. your own nation.
Extreme pride for your country.
Can become dangerous when it is coupled with extremism and militarism. i.e. an “I’m better than you” attitude.
Central Powers • Germany• Austria-Hungary• Italy• Ottoman Empire• Bulgaria
Triple Alliance 1. Austria-Hungary 2. Italy3. Germany
1882- Each member promised mutual support in the event of an attack by any other great powers.
Allied Powers 0 Great Britain0 France0 Russia0 Belgium0 Serbia0 Greece0 Italy (1915)0 U.S.A. (1917)
Triple Entente 1. Great Britain 2. France 3. Russia
1907- The alliance of the three powers constituted a powerful counterweight to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
W2L “MAIN Analogies”
Directions: Pick one of the “MAIN Causes of WWI” and create an analogy for the cause you picked.
Explain your analogy.
Analogy: Alliances are like friendships.
Explanation: Alliances are like friendships because friends ‘have each others backs’, just as alliances
defend one another during times of conflict. 1. Militarism 2. Alliances 3. Imperialism4. Nationalism
The Powder Keg Explodes
Bosnia and Serbia (S.E. Europe) were annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1913. (Annexed: added to ones own territory.)
The Balkan Peninsula had long been considered the “Powder Keg” of Europe. (AKA “Balkan Powder Keg”)
Austria-Hungary’s Archduke Francis Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie, traveled to Sarajevo, Bosnia to try to calm tensions and reassure the people of Bosnia.
Meet SerbiaBosnia and Serbia (S.E. Europe) were annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1913. (Annexed: added to ones own territory.)
Young Bosnia: a revolutionary movement. Members were predominantly school students. There were several motivations promoted amongst different members of the group. Violent group.
Black Hand (Unification or Death): was a secret military society formed by members of the Serbian Army. Even more violent group.
WW1: Allied with the Allied Powers; Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Serbia,
Greece, Italy (1915), U.S.A. (1917)
Meet Austria-Hungary
A multinational realm and one of the world's great powers.
Prospective Leader: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
Since A-H annexed Bosnia and Serbia he is headed to Bosnia (with his wife Sophie) to calm tensions and reassure the people of Bosnia.
WW1: Allied with the Central Powers; Germany, Italy, A-H,
Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria
The Assassination of Archduke Franz
FerdinandOn June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip,
Serbian Nationalist, and
member of Young Bosnia and the
Black Hand, assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand (A-H)
and his wife.
Domino Effect; 1914 0 June 28 - Gavrilo Princip, Serbian
Nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
0 July 28- Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
0 August 1 - Germany declares war on Russia. 0 August 3 - Germany declares war on France. 0 August- Germany invades Belgium. 0 August 6 - Austria-Hungary declares war on
Russia 0 August 6 - Serbia declares war on Germany.
Central Powers1. Germany2. Austria-
Hungary3. Italy4. Ottoman
Empire (1914)5. Bulgaria
Allied Powers1. Great Britain2. France3. Russia4. Belgium5. Serbia6. Greece7. Italy (1915)8. U.S.A. (1917)
The Conflict Widens0 Germany was prepared for war. 0 Schlieffen Plan: Germany’s
“strike first”/first strike strategy. Quick sweep into France to take it out of the war.
0 Because Germany had to go through neutral Belgium, it drew Great Britain into the war on the side of the Allies.
0 Late 1914: the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers
0 1915: Italy joined the Allies.
Stalemate in the Western Front
0Germany tried to advance on Paris, but was stopped 30 miles short. In “no man’s land”
0Trench Warfare – 450 miles of trenches across the Western Front.
01,000s were slaughtered as they attacked and counter attacked.
Germany & Austria had great success against Russia on the Eastern Front.
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