This Presentation outlines the short term steps that lead to the starting of World War I. From the Assassination of the Arch Duke to Britain finally joining the war.

1. The Short Term
Steps to World
War I

2. The Steps to
World War I
Note: All text appearing in
boxes like this one must be
recorded in your notes.
Note: All text appearing in
boxes like this one must be
recorded in your notes.
All text in this type of box is a primary
source.
All text in this type of box is a primary
source.
Any blue underlined text can
be clicked on to view its
meaning in the glossary

3. Background
1882 - Triple Alliance formed
•Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
1907 - Triple Entente formed
•Great Britain, France, Russia
1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
•angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
•Third Balkan Crisis
1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs secret alliance with
Germany
•common enemy of Russia
1882 - Triple Alliance formed
•Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
1907 - Triple Entente formed
•Great Britain, France, Russia
1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
•angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
•Third Balkan Crisis
1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs secret alliance with
Germany
•common enemy of Russia

4. Triple Alliance –
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
Triple Alliance –
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy

5. Background
• 1882 - Triple Alliance formed
– Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
• 1907 - Triple Entente formed
– Great Britain, France, Russia.
• 1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
– angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
• 1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
– Third Balkan Crisis
• 1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs a secret alliance with
Germany
– common enemy of Russia

6. Triple Entente –
Great Britain, France, Russia
Triple Entente –
Great Britain, France, Russia

7. Background
• 1882 - Triple Alliance formed
– Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
• 1907 - Triple Entente formed
– Great Britain, France, Russia.
• 1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
– angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
• 1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
– Third Balkan Crisis
• 1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs a secret alliance with
Germany
– common enemy of Russia

8. Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Bosnia and
Herzegovina

9. Background
• 1882 - Triple Alliance formed
– Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
• 1907 - Triple Entente formed
– Great Britain, France, Russia.
• 1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
– angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
• 1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
– Third Balkan Crisis
• 1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs a secret alliance with
Germany
– common enemy of Russia

10. Triple Entente –
Great Britain, France, Russia
Triple Entente –
Great Britain, France, Russia

11. Background
• 1882 - Triple Alliance formed
– Italy joins the German alliance with Austria
• 1907 - Triple Entente formed
– Great Britain, France, Russia.
• 1908 – Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina
– angering Serbia (hopes to form Slavic Union)
• 1913 – Russia demonstrates support for Serbia
– Third Balkan Crisis
• 1914 – Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signs a secret alliance with
Germany
– common enemy of Russia

12. Triple Alliance –
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
Triple Alliance –
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy

13. Balance of Power
France
Russia
Great Britain
Serbia
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Turkey
Italy

14. June 28, 1914June 28, 1914
Sarajevo, (Bosnia) Austria-HungarySarajevo, (Bosnia) Austria-Hungary

15. June 28, 1914
1. Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to throne
of Austria-Hungary, and
his wife at Sarajevo,
Bosnia.
Austria blames Serbia.
1. Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to throne
of Austria-Hungary, and
his wife at Sarajevo,
Bosnia.
Austria blames Serbia.

16. June 28, 1914
1. Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to throne
of Austria-Hungary, and
his wife at Sarajevo,
Bosnia.
Austria blames Serbia.
1. Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to throne
of Austria-Hungary, and
his wife at Sarajevo,
Bosnia.
Austria blames Serbia.
Black Hand’s stated aim was:
"To realize the national
ideal, the unification of all
Serbs. This organisation
prefers terrorist action to
cultural activities; it will
therefore remain secret."
"To realize the national
ideal, the unification of all
Serbs. This organisation
prefers terrorist action to
cultural activities; it will
therefore remain secret."

18. Austria-Hungary has not been lacking in good will and in the
spirit of conciliation, to bring about reasonably good relations with
Serbia, but it has just been shown that these efforts have been
completely impotent and that the Monarchy must expect in the
future to deal with the bitter, irreconcilable and aggressive enmity
of Serbia.
In these conditions the Monarchy must tear away with a strong
hand the net in which its enemy seeks to entangle it.
Austria-Hungary has not been lacking in good will and in the
spirit of conciliation, to bring about reasonably good relations with
Serbia, but it has just been shown that these efforts have been
completely impotent and that the Monarchy must expect in the
future to deal with the bitter, irreconcilable and aggressive enmity
of Serbia.
In these conditions the Monarchy must tear away with a strong
hand the net in which its enemy seeks to entangle it.
Emperor Franz Josef (Austria)
sends a letter to Kaiser Wilhelm II
(Germany) asking for support.
July 2, 1914

19. 2. Germany sends a telegram indicating it would
honour its treaty obligations to support Austria (known
historically as the German ‘blank cheque’)
2. Germany sends a telegram indicating it would
honour its treaty obligations to support Austria (known
historically as the German ‘blank cheque’)
July 5, 1914
…Finally, as far as concerns Serbia,
His Majesty, of course, cannot
interfere in the dispute now going on
between Austria-Hungary and that
country, as it is a matter not within
his competence. The Emperor Francis
Joseph may, however, rest assured
that His Majesty will faithfully stand
by Austria-Hungary, as is required by
the obligations of his alliance and of
his ancient friendship…
…Finally, as far as concerns Serbia,
His Majesty, of course, cannot
interfere in the dispute now going on
between Austria-Hungary and that
country, as it is a matter not within
his competence. The Emperor Francis
Joseph may, however, rest assured
that His Majesty will faithfully stand
by Austria-Hungary, as is required by
the obligations of his alliance and of
his ancient friendship…
Telegram from the
Imperial Chancellor, von
Bethmann-Hollweg, to
the German Ambassador
at Vienna. Tschirschky,
July 6, 1914

21. 3. Austria delivers an ultimatum to Serbia,
demanding a response in 48 hours.
3. Austria delivers an ultimatum to Serbia,
demanding a response in 48 hours.
July 23, 1914
Austria-Hungary insisted that Serbia:
1. Put down all nationalist hatred against Austria-
Hungary
2. Punish all those involved in the assassination plot
3. Allow Austro-Hungarian officials into Serbia to help
crush the Black Hand
Austria-Hungary insisted that Serbia:
1. Put down all nationalist hatred against Austria-
Hungary
2. Punish all those involved in the assassination plot
3. Allow Austro-Hungarian officials into Serbia to help
crush the Black Hand

22. 4. Serbia responds to the ultimatum by agreeing
to many, but not all, of the terms.
4. Serbia responds to the ultimatum by agreeing
to many, but not all, of the terms.
July 25, 1914
"Part of your demands we have accepted... For the rest,
we place our hopes on your loyalty and chivalry as an
Austrian general."
Serbian Prime Minister Nikola Pasic
"Part of your demands we have accepted... For the rest,
we place our hopes on your loyalty and chivalry as an
Austrian general."
Serbian Prime Minister Nikola Pasic

23. 5. Austria sends a
telegram to Serbia
declaring war.
5. Austria sends a
telegram to Serbia
declaring war.
July 28, 1914

24. 6. Russia, in support of
Serbia, proclaims a
general mobilization
6. Russia, in support of
Serbia, proclaims a
general mobilization
July 30, 1914

26. 7. France, as Russia’s
ally, also authorizes a full
mobilization
7. France, as Russia’s
ally, also authorizes a full
mobilization
July 31, 1914

28. 8. Germany declares war
on Russia
8. Germany declares war
on Russia
August 1, 1914

29. 9. Germany declares war
on France
9. Germany declares war
on France
August 3, 1914

30. 10. Germany puts
Schlieffen Plan into
motion, invading neutral
Luxemburg and Belgium.
10. Germany puts
Schlieffen Plan into
motion, invading neutral
Luxemburg and Belgium.
August 2-4, 1914

32. 11. Because of treaty
agreements guaranteeing
Belgian neutrality, Great
Britain, along with
Australia and Canada,
declare war on Germany.
11. Because of treaty
agreements guaranteeing
Belgian neutrality, Great
Britain, along with
Australia and Canada,
declare war on Germany.
August 4, 1914
From a Canadian
perspective, World War I
had now begun.
From a Canadian
perspective, World War I
had now begun.

36. 1914 - 1917
•1914 (Aug 5) – Montenegro joins the Allied Powers
•1914 (Aug. 23) – Japan joins the Allied Powers by
declaring war on Germany
•1914 (Oct. 29) – Turkey joins the Central Powers
•1915 (May 23) – Italy joins the Allied Powers
•1915 (Oct. 14) – Bulgaria joins the Central Powers
•1916 (August 27) – Romania joins the Allied Powers
•1917 (Apr. 6) – The United States joins the Allied Powers
•1917 (Jun. 27) – Greece joins the Allied Powers

38. Countries Involved in World War I
Ecuador Severed relations with Germany December 8, 1917
France Invaded by Germany August 2, 1914
Germany Declared war on Russia August 1, 1914
Great Britain
(Australia,
Canada)
Declared war on Germany August 4, 1914
Greece Declared war on Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria,
Germany, and the Ottoman Empire
June 27, 1917
Guatemala Declared war on Germany April 23, 1918
Haiti Declared war on Germany July 12, 1918
Honduras Declared war on Germany July 19, 1918
Italy Declared war on Austria-Hungary May 23, 1915
Japan Declared war on Germany August 23, 1914
Liberia Declared war on Germany August 4, 1917
Montenegro Declared war on Austria-Hungary August 5, 1914

39. Your Assignment
• Read the “War Breaks Out” (photocopy)
• Summarize each of the Long Term Causes of
World War I in your notes
–Alliances
–Nationalism
–Imperialism
–Militarism
• Write an article for the front page of a
newspaper on August 5, 1914
• This article should:
• Explain why Canada is at war
• include both long and short term causes
• Use inverted pyramid style (most important information first)

40. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain
common interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster forces for military
service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by Germany to avoid
fighting a war on two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a relationship between
countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one power (or group of
powers) to another

41. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain common
interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster
forces for military service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by Germany to avoid
fighting a war on two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a relationship between
countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one power (or group of
powers) to another

42. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain common
interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster forces for military
service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by Germany to avoid
fighting a war on two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a relationship between
countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one power (or group of
powers) to another

43. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain common
interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster forces for military
service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by
Germany to avoid fighting a war on
two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a relationship between
countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one power (or group of
powers) to another

44. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain common
interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster forces for military
service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by Germany to avoid
fighting a war on two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a
relationship between countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one power (or group of
powers) to another

45. Glossary
•Alliance - An association to further certain common
interests of the members.
•Mobilization - To make ready or muster forces for military
service.
•Neutral - Does not take sides, impartial.
•Schlieffen Plan - A strategy drawn up by Germany to avoid
fighting a war on two fronts
•Treaty – a legal agreement detailing a relationship between
countries
•Ultimatum - Terms presented by one
power (or group of powers) to another

46. Sources:
•www.westernfront.co.uk
•www.worldwar1.com
•din-timelines.com
•www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
•www.firstworldwar.com
•Microsoft Encarta 2004