2. Militarism
Militarism: The belief or a desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military
capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to promote national interests.
Utilizing new mass-production techniques, Western nations could churn out these weapons and munitions
in great quantities and at rapid pace.
The descent into war was also fuelled by militaristic cultures and attitudes.
Generals and admirals became de facto government ministers.
European military expenditure skyrocketed between 1900 and 1914. In 1870 the combined military
spending of the six great powers totaled 94 million pounds. By 1914 it was at 398 million pounds.
Britain: Thought there naval power would secure them victory.
Germany: Were confident in their growing naval fleet and arms production.
Russia: The tsar believed his empire to be protected by god.
France: Believed in their string of concrete fortresses and defenses, running the length of their eastern
border.
3.
4. Assassination
- Serbian Rebels seeking independence from Austria-Hungary
assassinate Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914.
5. Nationalism
Nationalism and patriotism were significant factors in the
road to World War I. Each of Europe’s Great Powers
developed a firm belief in its own cultural, economic and
military supremacy. As each nation became more
convinced of their superiority the likelihood of war
increased. Each nation believed that if war was to come
they would be victorious.
Britain: Britain was drunk with patriotism and nationalism.
They has enjoyed two centuries of imperial, naval and
commercial dominance.
Germany: German as a nation state was comparatively
new (1871 26-German speaking states came together).
Nationalism was the glue that bound the nation states.
National strength was continually associated with military
strength.
7. Imperialism
- By 1914 there was relatively few parts of the world still
open to imperial conquest.
- The imperialist competition had contributed to tension and
rivalry of the previous generations.
- France desired to colonize Morocco. Kaiser Wilhelm II
traveled to Tangier (the capital) and made a speech
supporting Moroccan independence. This undermined
France and antagonized them. This caused tension
between the two countries.
German began competing with French and England to
become a strong imperialist power. France and England's
strong presence in empires (such as Africa), contributed to
anti-German sentiment when they began colonizing the
African continent.
8. Alliances
Alliance: Is a formal political, military or economic agreement between two or more nations,
which is binding under international law.
Triple Entente: Britain, Russia, France
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria, Italy (1882).
(It was a defensive pact: Each signatory was committed to provide military support to the
others if they were attacked)
Europe was divided into two opposing alliance blocs – thus any war between two opposing
nations could mean war between them all.
Who was mad at who?
Austria Hungary was competing against Russia & Serbia over territory in the Balkans.
Kaiser Wilhelm II broke ties with Russia which the chancellor Otto Von Bismark had
strategically created with Russia to prevent a two front war.
