War and RevolutionCH. 16
The Road to World War I
Sec 1
Beginning of 1900s◦Peace and harmony in Europe◦Darker side Developments would propel Europe into War
Rising Tensions in Europe
Unifying forceExtreme pride in one’s countryCause intense competition between nations◦Seek to overpower each other
Rivalries develop◦Great Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, GB, Russia, Italy, France
The Rise of Nationalism
Causes of rivalries◦Competition for materials and markets
◦Territorial disputes◦Ethnic groups demand independence
Europeans compete over Africa and Asia
Quest for colonies pushed nations to brink of war
Competition leads to sense of rivalry and mistrust
Imperialism
Arms race developed in Europe◦To be great, countries need to have powerful army
◦1914 – all Great Powers, except GB have large standing army
◦Experts stress importance of quick mobilization Ability to get troops ready for war
Growth of Militarism
Militarism◦Policy of glorifying military power◦Keeping army prepared for war◦Large and strong army made citizens feel patriotic Frightens some
Rivalries and mistrust led to creation of alliances◦Great Powers form military alliances
Alliance system designed to keep peace develops◦Helped cause a war
Tangled Alliances
Bismarck Forges Early Pacts◦Saw France as biggest threat Thought they wanted revenge for losing Franco-Prussian War
Goal was to isolate France
1879 – Dual Alliance◦Germany and Austria-Hungary
Triple Alliance - 1882◦Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
1881 – treaty w/ Russia
1890 – Kaiser Wilhelm II forces Bismarck to resign◦Didn’t want to share power◦Eager to show power of Germany
Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace
Wilhelm does things differently◦Treaty w/Russia ends in 1890 Russia forms alliance w/France – 1892 and 1894
◦War w/France or Russia would make Germany enemy of both Could be forced to fight two-front war
Began massive shipbuilding program◦Make German navy equal to GB
Moves alarm GB◦1904 – forms alliance w/France
Wilhelm decides to challenge GB
Triple Entente◦1907◦Russia, France, GB◦Did not bind GB to fight w/France and Russia
◦Ensured GB would not fight against them
Triple Entente vs. Triple Alliance◦Conflict could draw entire continent into war
“Powder Keg of Europe”◦Mountainous peninsula in southeastern
Europe◦Home to assortment of ethnic groups Long history of nationalist uprisings and
ethnic conflict
Crisis in the Balkans
Ottoman Empire in rapid decline◦New nations formed Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro,
Romania, Serbia◦Nationalism is powerful force Groups want to grow in size
A Restless Region
Serbia◦Large Slavic population Wanted to absorb all Slavs on Balkan
peninsula◦Russia and Austria-Hungary in direct
conflict Russia – supports Slavic nationalism Austria – threatened by growth
1908 – Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina◦Large Slavic populations◦Outraged Serbian leaders Serbs vow to take B&H from A-H A-H vowed to crush Serbian effort
June 28, 1914Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand shot in Sarajevo, Bosnia◦Gavrilo Princip 19 yr old member of the Black Hand
◦Black Hand – secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrians
Shot Rings throughout Europe
Austria angered◦Use murders as excuse to punish Serbia
◦July 23 - Presented ultimatum to SerbiaEnd to anti-Austrian activity Investigation of assassinationSerbian leaders agree to most of demands
Offered to have international conference settle others
Austria unwilling to negotiate July 28
◦Austria rejected Serbia’s offer◦Declares war on Serbia◦Russia mobilizes troops toward Austrian border
◦Leaders of Europe alarmed Urge Russia and Austria to negotiate