The document discusses several key causes of World War 1: militarism led European powers like Germany and Russia to rapidly build up their armed forces in the early 20th century; a system of alliances tied the major European powers to one another militarily; imperialism and nationalism increased tensions in areas like the Balkans; and assertive leaders like Kaiser Wilhelm II pursued aggressive foreign policies. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian nationalists in 1914 triggered a series of escalating diplomatic and military actions by European powers due to these underlying factors, ultimately resulting in World War 1.

1. The MAIN(S) Causes of WW1
•Militarism
•Alliances
•Imperialism
•Nationalism
•Significant individuals

2. Militarism 1.
• Germany was competing
with the UK to build
battleships.
• The British feared an
attack on their Empire

3. Militarism 2.
• Germany was
competing with
Russia and France to
expand their armies
1880 1914
• Germany 1.3m 5.0m
• France 0.73m 4.0m
• Russia 0.40m 1.2m

4. Alliances
• By 1914 all the major
powers were linked by
a system of alliances.
• The alliances made it
more likely that a war
would start.
• Once started, the
alliances made it more
likely to spread.

5. Pre and Post War Europe
1914 1920

6. Imperialism
• All the great powers were competing for
colonies / territory.
• The British feared Germany in Africa.
• The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in
the Balkans

7. Nationalism
• This was an age when all nations wanted to
assert their power and independence.
• In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and
Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule.
Serbia’s
national
flag

8. Significant Individuals 1.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II “Germany must have
its place in the sun”
• Built up German army and “The world belongs to
the strong.”
navy
• Aggressive foreign policy
• Determined to make
Germany a top nation.
• Distrusted by other powers

9. Significant Individuals 2
• Count Berchtold
• Austrian Prime
Minister.
• During the July
Crisis, decided on a
very tough
ultimatum for Serbia
“Were the Serbs to
agree to all the
demands, this would
not be to my liking”

10. Significant Individuals 3
• Bethmann Hollweg
• German Prime Minister
• Gave very strong support
to Austria during the July
crisis while Kaiser was
cruising on his yacht “The Austrian demands
are moderate. Any
interference by Britain,
France and Russia would
be followed by
incalculable
consequences”

11. The Crisis 1.
• 28 June 1914
• Heir to Austrian
throne Franz
Ferdinand visits
Sarajevo.
• Capital of Bosnia,
recently grabbed by
Austria.
Seal of the
• Hotbed of Slav Black Hand
nationalism group

12. The Crisis 2.
• “Black Hand” terrorists
attack the Arch Duke
• Bomb attempt fails in
morning
• Gavrilo Princip shoots
Archduke and wife in
the afternoon.
• Austrians blame Serbia
for supporting
terrorists.

13. The Crisis 3.
• Austrians, supported by
Germany, send Serbia a tough “Demands must be
ultimatum. put to Serbia that
• Serbia agrees to all but two would be wholly
impossible for them
terms of the ultimatum. to accept …”
• Russia mobilises her troops to
support Serbia
• Germany demands that Russia
stands her armies down.
• Germany declares war on
Russia

14. Why did Britain get involved?
• Britain had Ententes with Sir Edward Grey
France and Russia. British Foreign Secretary
… “There’s some devilry
• Only “friendly going on in Berlin”
agreements” but French
and Russians given
impression Britain would
fight.
• The Schlieffen Plan

15. The Schlieffen Plan
• Germany’s military
plan to defeat France
and Russia.
• “Knock out blow”
aimed at France first.
• Avoid French
defences by invasion
of Belgium.
• Germans thought
Britain would not
intervene.

16. Britain’s Reaction
• 1838- UK had signed a
Treaty to protect
Belgium.
• Britain also scared of
Germany controlling
Channel ports.
• Did not want Germany to
defeat France and
dominate Europe.
Britain next?
• UK issued ultimatum to
Germany to withdraw
troops from Belgium.
War declared August 4
1914

17. Reasons U.S entered War
• Economic ties
– The U.S. traded more with Britain and France. (U.S. was not
strictly neutral) Many sympathized w/Br. & Fr.
• Submarine warfare
– German U-boats attack ships in British ports
– U.S. protested unrestricted submarine warfare
– Wilson vows to hold Germany responsible for loss of American
life or property
• Germany sinks the Lusitania (British ship)
– 128 Americans are killed
– At this point, Germany did not want war with the U.S. and
agreed to stop attacking neutral ships.
– Later, Germany continued unrestricted submarine warfare in
British waters

18. Zimmerman Telegram
• Germany’s foreign secretary
(Zimmermann) sent a secret
note to Mexico (February
1917)
• Germany urged Mexico to
attack the U.S. and in return,
Mexico would gain back
territory previously lost to the
U.S.
• Americans and Wilson are
outraged by the Zimmermann
telegram

19. Zimmerman telegram decoded

20. Russia
• Russian Revolution
– When war broke out (1914) Russian
people supported their Czar
– Heavy losses and economic hardship
caused discontent
– In March 1917, the Czar was forced
to step down (eventually executed)
– Wilson believed that the revolution
would end Russian monarchy and
bring democracy
– Without a Czar, it was easier for
Wilson to support the allies (keeping
the world safe for democracy)

21. National Defense Act 1915
• By 1915, even though it was
the United States intention
to remain out of the war in
Europe, it became evident
that we would have to
prepare for war anyways. In
1916, even though Wilson
was re-elected on the slogan
“he kept us out of the war”
the United States would
enter “the war to end all
wars.”

22. Summary for U.S. entrance:
• Why did the U.S. abandon neutrality and enter WWI?
– America had economic ties to the British & French
• Sold millions in war materials to both/sympathy for Br. & Fr.
– Fear of German power
• Possible threat to US security
– Unrestricted submarine warfare
• German interference with US shipping
• Sinking of the Lusitania
– The Zimmerman Telegram
• Americans were outraged when details of the telegram were
published in newspapers
– The Russian Revolution
• With the Czar gone, it was easier to support the allies (Democracy)

23. Standards addressed:
• c. events that led to the United States’
involvement in World War I; United States’
rationale for entry into World War I and impact
on military process,
• public opinion and policy;
• d. United States’ mobilization in World War I
(e.g., its impact on politics, economics and
society);
• e. United States’ impact on the outcome of World
War I; United States’ role in settling the peace
(e.g., Woodrow Wilson, treaty of Versailles,
league of
• nations, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr.);