Do Now:

“The Powder Keg of Europe”

M – MilitarismA – Alliances

I – ImperialismN - Nationalism

Causes of World War I can be remembered with the acronym

M.A.I.N.

1. M - Militarism Glorification of military strength was

widespread in the 1800sLed to “arms races” between countries of

EuropeMost prominent was naval arms race

between Germany and Britain

Country Increase in Military Spending: 1890-1913

Size of army in 1914: beginning of WWI

Germany 167% 760,000

Austria-Hungary

160% 460,000

Great Britain 117% 430,000

France 92% 970,000

Russia 19% 1,500,000

2. A - Alliances Complicated system of alliances maintained

peace in EuropeHowever, due to treaty obligations, a small

scale conflict could pull in all the major powers

3. I - ImperialismEmpires were seen as a sign of

national greatnessCompetition for overseas territories

& resources led to conflict

4. N – Nationalism Different ethnic groups of Balkan region

began demanding independence from Austria

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand caused Austria to declare war on Serbia

Soon, major powers were pulled into the conflict and WWI began

The B

alkans

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, or Nationalism? 

Your Task: Below are a list of events leading to World War I;

categorize them as an example of either 

M (militarism), A (alliances), I (imperialism), or N (nationalism).

__M__1.) Under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Germany began to strengthen its armed forces.

__A__ 2.) After Austria declared war on Serbia, treaty obligations caused Russia, Germany, France, and Britain to enter the conflict shortly thereafter.

__N__ 3.) A Serbian radical assassinated the heir to the Austrian throne in an attempt to get part of Austria with ethnic Serbs to merge with Serbia.

__I__ 4.) The European “Scramble for Africa” caused tensions between Britain, France, and Germany

__A__ 5.) Otto von Bismarck, seeking to weaken France, attempted to make a series of agreements to ensure friendly relations with Russia and Austria.

__N__ 6.) A variety of ethnic groups began to demand independence, threatening to break apart existing countries and empires, and led to the Balkans being referred to as "The Powder Keg of Europe."

__M/I__ 7.) In 1871, Germany and France fought the Franco-Prussian War so Germany could take the French territories of Alsace-Lorraine, where the majority of people spoke German. Caused long term bitterness between France and Germany.

__M__ 8.) Germany wanted to challenge British naval superiority by building up a strong navy of their own.