The MAIN Causes of WWI

M - Militarism
• the policy of building a strong
military force
then using war to get more power such as
colonies, land, raw materials, etc.
• Countries compete to build the largest armies
and navies because
This helps them to get and protect their
colonies around the world.
 A - Alliances
• a group of countries
united for military protection.
• Countries in Europe looked for friends to help
support them if a war started.
WWI Alliances
 I - Imperialism
• When a country extends it’s rule over another
country.
• Countries form an empire by starting colonies.
• More colonies =
more raw materials, more markets for trade,
and more land.
• Countries come into conflict when competing for
colonies.
 N-Nationalism
• strong feelings of
patriotism; pride for your
mother country
• Countries felt national pride
when their empire conquered
other countries.
• Some ethnic groups felt an
intense desire to preserve their
own cultural identity, language
and traditions.
• So they wanted to form
independent nations,
and free themselves from the
control of an empire
WWI – The Major Players
 The Alliances
Triple Entente Triple Alliance
(The Allies) (Central Powers)
Britain, France, Russia Germany,
Austria-Hungary,
Italy, Turkey
 The Major Players
The Triple Entente
(The Allies)
1. France
gave up 2 rich provinces
(Alsace-Lorraine) to Germany
when they lost the Franco-
Prussian War
fought with Germany over a
claim of Morocco
fears Germany, so forms an
alliance with Russia
The Triple Alliance
(Central Powers)
1. Germany
Kaiser Wilhelm II wants to
have a large, rich colonial
empire, like Britain and more
raw materials.
forms an alliance with
Austria-Hungary and Italy
builds up a large army and
navy to compete with Britain,
France and Russia.
 The Major Players
2. Russia 2. Austria-Hungary
“The sleeping giant” Slavic nationalism is
bordering on Germany. threatening to break apart
Has a large army. its empire; Slavic groups
want to be
“Big Brother” to Serbia independent.
believes in Pan-Slavism
took over Bosnia,
“Slavic” countries wants to take over
should be united. Serbia and control all
Supports these countries Slavic people.
because wants access to
a warm water port in the
Balkans on the
Mediterranean Sea
 The Major Players
3. Britain 3. Italy
has the largest empire Has defensive alliance
has largest navy will help Germany and
because has to protect Austria-Hungary if
its large empire. attacked.
In “arms race” Their actions are
(competition) with offensive so Italy stays
Germany to build the neutral.
largest navy. Later joins the Allies.
 The Major Players
4. Serbia
angry because Austria-
Hungary took over
Bosnia (a Slavic
country), because they
wanted Bosnia to join
them.
Bosnian Serb terrorist
group, the
Black Hand
are ready to fight to unite
all Slavic people.
4.Turkey (Ottoman Empire)
has controlled the Balkans
for 100 years, now empire
is crumbling.
Fears losing more land to
Russian expansion, so
makes a secret alliance
with
Germany
Countdown to WWI

Rebellions of the Slavic people in

the Austro-Hungarian Empire made
the area known as the Balkans,
“The Powder Keg of Europe.”
It was ready to explode into a war.
 1. The Assassination
“The Spark that Lit the
Powder Keg”
• June 28, 1914 –
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand,
the heir to the
Austrian monarchy,
and his wife, Sophie,
were visiting
Sarajevo,
the capital city of
Bosnia.
• Archduke Ferdinand and
his wife are shot and
killed by
Gavrillo Princip, a
member of the Serbian
terrorist group, the
Black Hand.
2. Blank Cheque

• Austria-Hungary asks Germany

for advice and Germany gives
them a
Blank Cheque –
this means that they will
support Austria even if it means
war.
 3. Ultimatum
• Austria-Hungary prepares for war and
sends the Serbs an
ultimatum
hand over the terrorist or face war
4. Serbia agrees to only parts of the
ultimatum, so Austria Hungary
declares war on Serbia

5. Russia’s leader Tsar Nicholas II,

gives Serbia a
blank cheque (full support)
and prepares for war against Austria
Hungary
6. Germany tells Russia to
back down, Russia
refuses, so
Germany declares war
on Russia.
7. France has an alliance
with Russia,
so France declares war
on Germany
8. Germany
declares war on France.
The Schlieffen Plan
• realizing that it is best to attack
France first, Germany attacks
France through
Belgium.
• Goal – to defeat France in 6 weeks
while Russia is still preparing for war
and avoid a
Two-Front War, having to fight
France and Russia at the same time.
• Problem – Belgium is a
neutral country and
has a treaty with Britain to protect
its neutrality.
Aug 4, 1914
• Britain declares war on
Germany.
• WWI begins.
• All British colonies, including
CANADA, are automatically at
war.