The 1st World WarCauses
The system of alliances• The Triple Alliance
or the Central Powers (1882):– Germany– Austria-Hungary– Italy
• The Triple Entente (1907):
– Great Britain– France– Russia
Germany• Industrialized• Wanted an
overseas empire (Navy)
• “Encircled” by Russia and France
Austria-Hungary
• Different ethnic groups that wanted their independence (serbs, slavs, czechs, germans…)
• Scared by Russia
Italy
• New country• Wanted an
overseas empire
• Not as powerful or industrialized as the rest
The Triple Alliance
Great Britain
• Industrialized• Overseas
Empire• The
“splendid isolation” ends as Germany claims for colonies
France
• Wanted revenge after the Franco-Prussian War
• Claims Alsacia-Lorena
• Industrialized
Russia
• Old Regime: most backward country
• Not very industrialized
• Supports Slavs and Serbs living in Austria-Hungary
The Triple Entente
The Major Players: 1914-17
Nicholas II [Rus]
Nicholas II [Rus]
George V [Br]George V [Br]
Pres. Poincare [Fr]
Pres. Poincare [Fr]
Allied Powers:
Franz Josef [A-H]Franz Josef [A-H]
William II [Ger]William II [Ger]
Victor Emmanuel II [It]
Victor Emmanuel II [It]
Central Powers:
Enver Pasha[Turkey]
Enver Pasha[Turkey]
The “balance of power”: the system of alliances made politicians think that the power of the two alliances
would prevent any side from starting a war
“The Chain of Friendship”, The Brooklyn Eagle, July 1914.
The Path to the War
• It would be a quick war• Militarism and Arms
race• Economic and Imperial
rivalries• Nationalism and
extreme loyalty to one’s country
Pre-war Crisis1905 Morocco
• - Germany wanted to end French supremacy over Morocco•- 1906 Algeciras Conference: France & Great Britain stuck together against German claims
1908: 1st Balkan Crisis•- Austria-Hungary takes control over Bosnia-Herzegovina•- Russia & Serbia protest but are not ready for a war•- Germany backs up Austria-Hungary against Russia and Serbia
Pre-War Crisis1911: Morocco•Crisis of Agadir: Germany claims Morocco against French control•France keeps its control over Morocco and in exchange Germany receives territories in Central Africa•Secret agreement: France would patrol the Mediterranean Sea while Great Britain would patrol the French coasts in the Atlantic and the North Sea
1912-13: 2nd Balkan Crisis•After several local wars, Serbia enlarges its territories with Russia’s support•Austria-Hungary is annoyed as it is losing supremacy over the Balkan area.
The Spark: Sarajevo Murder
• Archduke Franz Ferdinand (successor to the Austria-Hungarian throne) is assesinated in Sarajevo.
• Austria blames Serbia and issues an ultimatum to allow Austrian forces to investigate the murder in Serbia
The Domino EffectAustria-Hungary
issues an ultimatum to Serbia (its forces
will enter the country to investigate the murder)
Serbia refuses the ultimatum
Austria-Hungary declares war on
Serbia. 28 July 1914
Russia mobilizes its troops to defend
Serbia
Germany (Austria-Hungary ‘s allie)
declares war on Russia
France (Russia’s allie) declares war on
Germany
Germany invades Belgium to attack
France
Great Britain (France’s allie)
declares war on Germany