Unit 4 Part 2 Causes of WWI

Mr. Klein Fall 2012

5 Main Causes of WWI

1. Militarism 2. Alsace-Lorraine 3. Nationalism 4. Imperialism

5. Alliances

5 Main Causes of WWI

1. Militarism 2. Alsace-Lorraine 3. Nationalism 4. Imperialism

MANIA

5. Alliances

1. Militarism

What is Militarism?
Militarism: Glorification of military strength Simply put Arms Race But why did it happen in Europe?

Causes of European Militarism

During late 1800s, Europe (and Russia) in nearly constant string of small wars.
Crimean War (Russia v. UK and France) 1853-56 7 Weeks War (Germany vs. Austria-Hungary) - 1866 Franco-Prussian War (France vs. Germany) 1870-71 Russo-Turkish War (Russia vs. Ottoman Empire) -1877-78 Russo-Japanese War (Russia vs. Japan) 1904-05 Balkan Wars (Balkan nations vs. Ottoman Empire) - 1912

Where the heck are the Balkans?

What was the Ottoman Empire?

Ottoman Empire
Muslim empire that succeeds Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) In decline by 1800s (after 500 years!) Called sick man of Europe Lost all territory but Turkey, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq by 1914

Why is Germany in Quotes?

 What we know today as Germany was 39 independent kingdoms in 1800s

Result of fall of Holy Roman Empire

Largest is Prussia Prussia unifies into one German Empire Otto Von Bismark Prussian statesmen who unifies Germany

Kaiser Wilhelm II
German Emperor

Empires

Causes of European Militarism

During late 1800s, Europe (and Russia) in nearly constant string of small wars.
Crimean War (Russia v. UK and France) 1853-56 7 Weeks War (Germany vs. Austria-Hungary) - 1866 Franco-Prussian War (France vs. Germany) 1870-71 Russo-Turkish War (Russia vs. Ottoman Empire) -1877-78 Russo-Japanese War (Russia vs. Japan) 1904-05 Balkan Wars (Balkan nations vs. Ottoman Empire) - 1912

Of these, Franco-Prussian War most important to us regarding Militarism

Causes of European Militarism

Prussia (German Empire) crushes France in conflict Gains valuable land holdings of France Key was not brilliant tactics, but raw size and superior equipment German Army

Causes of European Militarism

France feels need to catch up to Germany in terms of military strength Germany needs to keep advantage to avoid France retaking lands France lost in Franco-Prussian War

Other nations fear German strength and do not want to fall behind

Growth of Armies
1870 Russia France Germany 700,000 380,000 403,000 1914 1,300,000 846,000 812,000

Austria-Hungary
Britain Italy

247,000
302,000 334,000

424,000
381,000 305,000

Japan
U.S.A.

70,000
37,000

250,000
98,000

2. Alsace-Lorraine

Alsace-Lorraine

Alsace-Lorraine

Alsace-Lorraine
Taken by Germany in Franco-Prussian War (1870) Extremely rich in minerals and great farm land

France wants it back!

What is this Dog called?

Only called German Shepherd in US and GER called Alsacian everywhere else!!

3. Nationalism

Definition of Nationalism
Already know one facet from Unit 2:
Pride in Nation

Second Aspect of Nationalism:

Belief that people of same backgrounds (ethnic, religious, cultural, etc.) should belong to one nation.

Nationalism in Action
Unification of German Empire

Nationalism in Action
Unification of Italy

Italy Unified in 1870

Nationalism: Pan-Slavism
Pan-Slavism: Nationalistic movement for Southern Slavic people to be an independent nation
Centers on the BALKANS
Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks,

27 million Slavs living under rule of AustriaHungary

Russia: Protector of Slavs

Russia is self-appointed protector of Southern Slavic people: Russia is made up of Eastern Slavs

Many Southern Slavs are Orthodox Christians (like Russia at the time) Russia is supporter of Serbia (which broke from Ottoman Empire in 1912)

4. Imperialism

Imperialism :
We already know the definition

Europe in a mad scramble for colonies in late 1800s Germany is a late entrant to race for colonies good colonies already taken by other nations Primary focus:

AFRICA

Imperialism :
Germany begins to build powerful Navy

German Navy is Threat to GB

Imperialism :
Germany begins meddling with colonies of other nations

1905 First Moroccan Crisis

Germany supports independence of Morocco (French Protectorate) nearly starts war

Imperialism :
Germany begins meddling with colonies of other nations

1905 First Moroccan Crisis

Germany supports independence of Morocco (French Protectorate) nearly starts war Calls for international conference to decided fate of Morocco (upsetting France) Attempt to create friction between UK and FR who had signed treaties regarding Morocco Backfires UK and FR grow closer

Imperialism :
Germany begins meddling with colonies of other nations

1911 Second Moroccan Crisis

Moroccan rebellion occurs against FRsupported govt France sends in troops to put down rebels Germany sends gunboats to coast of Morocco UK sends battleships

Imperialism :
Germany begins meddling with colonies of other nations

1911 Second Moroccan Crisis

Moroccan rebellion occurs against FRsupported govt France sends in troops to put down rebels Germany sends gunboats to coast of Morocco UK sends battleships GER demands FR cede French Congo for GER recognizing FR control of Morocco War nearly occurs but financial crisis in GER makes them accept weak peace treaty

5. Alliances

Alliances
Definition:

Agreement between nations to fight at the side of one another in the event one of them becomes involved in a war.
Political climate of Europe during late 1800s and early 1900s caused formation of many alliances

1879 The Dual Alliance

1881 Austro-Serbian Alliance

1882 The Triple Alliance

Germany and AustriaHungary made an alliance to protect themselves from Russia

Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of Serbia

Germany and AustriaHungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia 1894 Franco-Russian Alliance

1914 Triple Entente (no separate peace)

Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately. 1907 Triple Entente 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente

Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and AustriaHungary 1904 Entente Cordiale

This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany.

This was an agreement between Britain and Russia

This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.

2 Major Alliances

2 Major Alliances

Triple Alliance

But Dont Forget

Russia also has informal (secret) pact with Serbia to protect them as Southern Slavs

Last But Not Least Treaty of London (1867)

GB agrees to protect Belgiums neutrality in European Conflicts

ALL FOUR of these Alliances Will Be Important In Setting Off WWI

The Spark that Sets Europe on Fire

June 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to throne of Austro-Hungarian Empire Visits Sarajevo, Bosnia AH had recently annexed Bosnia (Southern Slavs) Serbia not happy about annexation

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Brings wife, Sophie

She is not born nobility so rarely travels with him

Couple will travel to reception via convertible Route published in newspaper

Black Hand Society

Serbs who oppose AH rule over Bosnia Herzegovina Believe in Pan-Slavism and that B-H should be part of Serbia Not a governmental agency but Serbian govt generally aware of what they do (think Al-Qaeda)

Nedjelko Cabrinovic

Gavrilo Princip

Archduke Assassinated

Archduke Assassinated

Archduke Assassinated

A-H Response:
Blames Serbia for assassination Goes to GER for support GER gives A-H a Blank Check
Do what you like we will back you if you choose to attack Serbia, even if it means war with Russia

A-H Response:
Issues ultimatum to Serbia
Knows Serbia will never agree to the list of demands

Serbia agrees to all but one (allowing A-H to conduct investigation of assassination and punish all persons it finds responsible themselves)

A-H says NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

July 28, 1914

A-H declares war on Serbia Official Start of WWI KNOW THIS DATE!!!!!!!!

The Dominos All Begin to Fall

Russia Enters War

1. Russia begins to mobilize troops on borders of GER and A-H.
What does mobilize mean?

2. GER says stop or war will result

3. RUS does not stop

4. GER declares war on RUS (August 1, 1914)

German War Plan (Shlieffen Plan)

Want to avoid potential for two front war Asks France to declare neutrality France says No Assume it will take Russia weeks to fully mobilize to fight.

Plan is to take out France quickly so can then focus on Russia

German War Plan (Shlieffen Plan)

German War Plan (Shlieffen Plan)

Declare War on France on August 3, 1914 Hope to conquer France in 40 days Means invading neutral Belgium
Remember Treaty of London! GER thinks UK will need months to fight (no conscription)

UK declares war on GER on August 4, 1914

German Advance Halted

Germany breezes through Belgium Halted by British and French forces at Marne River (1st Battle of the Marne) Both sides dig in
Trench warfare (Trenches from English Channel to Switzerland)

Stalemate created

Trenches

Trenches

Trenches

Trenches

Trenches

No Mans Land

New Weapons of War

MACHINE GUNS

POISION GAS
MUSTARD GAS TEAR GAS CHLORINE GAS PHOSOGENE GAS

GIANT ARTILLARY GUNS

FLAME THROWERS

U- Boats SUBMARINES

DIRIGIBLE / ZEPPLIN
INTELLIGENCE
LOCATE SUBS WEAKNESS?

AIRPLANES

TANKS

Other Nations Join War

Triple Alliance Become Central Powers

1. Germany 2. Austria-Hungary 3. Ottoman Empire
Initially neutral Enter war Nov 1914

4. Bulgaria (Join 1915)

But waitWhere Is Italy????

Refuses to Join Not Defensive War

Triple Entente Become Allied Powers

1. France 2. United Kingdom 3. Russia 4. Serbia 5. Belgium 6. Italy

Why Does Italy Join Allied Powers?

Initially Neutral
Convinced to join Allies with promise of new territories on Adriatic Sea after Allies win Enter war in 1915

Triple Entente Become Allied Powers

1. France 2. United Kingdom 3. Russia 4. Serbia 5. Belgium 6. Italy 7. United States 8. Japan 9. Portugal 10.China

11.Albania
12.Romania

13.Greece