2. The system of alliances
• The Triple Alliance or • The Triple Entente
the Central Powers (1907):
(1882):
– Germany – Great Britain
– Austria-Hungary – France
– Italy – Russia
3.
4. The Triple Alliance
Austria-
Germany Hungary Italy
• Industrialized • Different ethnic
• Wanted an groups that • New country
overseas wanted their • Wanted an
empire (Navy) independence overseas
(serbs, slavs, czec empire
• “Encircled” by hs, germans…)
Russia and • Not as
France • Scared by Russia powerful or
industrialized
as the rest
5. The Triple Entente
Great Britain France Russia
• Industrialized • Wanted revenge • Old Regime:
• Overseas after the most
Empire Franco-Prussian backward
• The War country
“splendid • Not very
isolation” • Claims Alsacia- industrialized
ends as Lorena • Supports
Germany Slavs and
claims for Serbs living in
• Industrialized
colonies Austria-
Hungary
6. The Major Players: 1914-17
Allied Powers: Central Powers:
William II [Ger]
George V [Br]
Victor Emmanuel
Nicholas II II [It]
[Rus]
Franz Josef [A-H] Enver Pasha
Pres. Poincare [Fr] [Turkey]
7. 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.
8. 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
9. Pre-war Crisis
1905 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
10. Pre-War Crisis
1911: 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.
11. 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
12. The Domino Effect
Austria-Hungary issues Austria-Hungary
an ultimatum to Serbia refuses the declares war on
Serbia (its forces will enter ultimatum Serbia.
the country to investigate
the murder) 28 July 1914
Russia mobilizes its Germany (Austria- France (Russia’s allie)
troops to defend Hungary ‘s allie) declares declares war on
Serbia war on Russia Germany
Germany invades Great Britain (France’s
Belgium to attack allie) declares war on
France Germany
