Causes of World War I

Mrs. Eckert World History

Chapter 17.1 and 17.2

Long Term Causes

• Rise of Nationalism- Pride in ones own nation; desire for independence

• Various minority ethnic groups who were living under the rule of larger countries wanted to form their own countries

• Examples– Poles- split, and under 3 separate nations– Serbs- split, some Serbians under Austria-Hungary– Czechs- want independence from Austria-Hungary– Bulgaria- wants independence from Ottoman Empire

Long Term Causes continued

• Militarism- national policy based on military strength and glorification of war

• Examples– Build up of arms by countries all around the world– Build up of naval power by all major countries

(Notable countries include Great Britain, France, Germany, United States, Russia, Japan, Italy)

Long term causes continued

• Imperialism -domination of the political, economic, and social life of another countryExamples:– Russia and Japan fight over Korea (Russo/Japanese War)– Germany and Great Britain nearly fought over

colonizing Africa and the Middle East– France and Germany fought over Alsace and Lorraine

(Franco/Prussian War)– Austria/Hungary and Russia fought over control of

Slavic groups ( Crimean War and Balkan Wars)

Long Term Causes continued

• Alliances- signing treaties to help defend each other if attacked– Three Emperors’ League united Germany, Austria-

Hungary and Russia– Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary.,

and Italy– Triple Entente united Russia, France, Great Britain

Immediate Cause

• Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand– June 28, 1914 While visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia– He was the heir to Austrian throne

• Shot by Gavrilo Princip from Serbia– He was a member of a secret society called The Black Hand

• This caused a diplomatic crisis. • WAR COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT

THE ALLIANCES GOT IN THE WAY

Timeline starting the warJune 28, 1914

Assassination of Archduke Francis

Ferdinand

July 23, 1914 Austria-Hungary

gives Serbia ultimatum

July 25, 1914 Serbia refuses to let Austrian inspectors

into Serbia

July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on

Serbia

July 30, 1914 Russia declares war on

Austria-Hungary

July 31, 1914 Germany gives

Russia an ultimatum to cancel

mobilization

August 1, 1914 Germany declares

war on Russia and 2 days later declares

war on France

Germany invades Belgium to get to

France

Great Britain declares war on

Germany for invading Belgium

The US will not join the war until 1917