Militarism

Alliances

Imperialism

Nationalism

MAIN CAUSES OF WWI

Militarism• the build up of military strength; belief in a strong armed

forces• Arms Race

• New weapons capable of killing on a large scale• Flamethrowers, grenades, tanks, machine guns,

mortars• Germany and Britain both expanded their navies• France, Britain, Russia, Germany, Italy, Austria…all

competed to build the biggest, most advanced military

• DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why would an increase in the military size and strength of the most powerful countries increase the chance of a large scale war?

MAIN CAUSES: MILITARISM

Alliances• a pact or friendship between two or more

groups (in our case countries)• Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia• Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary• If one country is attacked, the other countries

agree to back them up

• DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why would alliances that are created between the countries increase the chances of a World War to break out?

MAIN CAUSES: ALLIANCES

Imperialism• expanding the power of one’s country by acquiring new

territories, often by force • European countries controlled undeveloped lands for

cultural (religion, language) and economic (resources) power

• Britain, France and Belgium had already established empires in Africa and Asia

• Germany started late and was competing for limited countries to colonize

• DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why do you think imperialism led to increased tension between the major European nations

MAIN CAUSES: IMPERIALISM

Nationalism• the love of one’s country, strong patriotic beliefs• People with similar language, history and culture came

together to form strong empires• People believed that loyalty to their nation was the most

important thing• Nationalism was strengthened through militarism (people

proud of their strong military) and imperialism (build of a nation’s empire)

• People willing and excited to fight and die for their country

• DISCUSSION QUESTION: Explain how having strong patriotic beliefs can lead to an increased chance of war?

MAIN CAUSES: NATIONALISM