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Causes of Wwi

The document summarizes the key causes of World War 1, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and significant individuals. It discusses how the arms race between European powers contributed to militarism. The alliance system made a local conflict more likely to spread. Imperialism and nationalism also increased tensions. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark that ignited World War 1 after Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued demands, drawing in other allied countries.

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Stephen Carter
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210 views15 pages

Causes of Wwi

The document summarizes the key causes of World War 1, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and significant individuals. It discusses how the arms race between European powers contributed to militarism. The alliance system made a local conflict more likely to spread. Imperialism and nationalism also increased tensions. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark that ignited World War 1 after Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued demands, drawing in other allied countries.

Uploaded by

Stephen Carter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Causes of WW1

Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Significant individuals
By A. Finemess
[Link]
Militarism 1.
Germany was competing
with the UK to build
battleships.
The British feared an
attack on their Empire
Militarism 2.
Germany was
competing with
Russia and France to
expand their armies
1880 1914
Germany 1.3m 5.0m
France 0.73m 4.0m
Russia 0.40m 1.2m
Alliances
By 1914 all the major
powers were linked by
a system of alliances.
The alliances made it
more likely that a war
would start.
Once started, the
alliances made it more
likely to spread.
Imperialism
All the great powers were competing for
colonies / territory.
The British feared Germany in Africa.
The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in
the Balkans
Nationalism
This was an age when all nations wanted to
assert their power and independence.
In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and
Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule.
Serbias
national
flag
Significant Individuals 1.
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Built up German army and
navy
Aggressive foreign policy
Determined to make
Germany a top nation.
Distrusted by other powers
Germany must have
its place in the sun
The world belongs to
the strong.
Significant Individuals 2
Count Berchtold
Austrian Prime
Minister.
During the July
Crisis, decided on a
very tough
ultimatum for Serbia
Were the Serbs to
agree to all the
demands, this would
not be to my liking
Significant Individuals 3
Bethmann Hollweg
German Prime Minister
Gave very strong support
to Austria during the July
crisis while Kaiser was
cruising on his yacht
The Austrian demands
are moderate. Any
interference by Britain,
France and Russia would
be followed by
incalculable
consequences
The Crisis 1.
28 June 1914
Heir to Austrian
throne Franz
Ferdinand visits
Sarajevo.
Capital of Bosnia,
recently grabbed by
Austria.
Hotbed of Slav
nationalism
Seal of the
Black Hand
group
The Crisis 2.
Black Hand terrorists
attack the Arch Duke
Bomb attempt fails in
morning
Gavrilo Princip shoots
Archduke and wife in
the afternoon.
Austrians blame Serbia
for supporting
terrorists.
The Crisis 3.
Austrians, supported by
Germany, send Serbia a tough
ultimatum.
Serbia agrees to all but two
terms of the ultimatum.
Russia mobilises her troops to
support Serbia
Germany demands that Russia
stands her armies down.
Germany declares war on
Russia
Demands must be
put to Serbia that
would be wholly
impossible for them
to accept
Why did Britain get involved?
Britain had Ententes with
France and Russia.
Only friendly
agreements but French
and Russians given
impression Britain would
fight.
The Schlieffen Plan
Sir Edward Grey
British Foreign Secretary
Theres some devilry
going on in Berlin
The Schlieffen Plan
Germanys military
plan to defeat France
and Russia.
Knock out blow
aimed at France first.
Avoid French
defences by invasion
of Belgium.
Germans thought
Britain would not
intervene.
Britains Reaction
1838- UK had signed a
Treaty to protect
Belgium.
Britain also scared of
Germany controlling
Channel ports.
Did not want Germany to
defeat France and
dominate Europe.
Britain next?
UK issued ultimatum to
Germany to withdraw
troops from Belgium.
War declared August 4
1914

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