World War IWorld War ICauses Causes

Blog QuestionBlog Question With which of the following do you With which of the following do you

most agree? Explain your reasoning.most agree? Explain your reasoning.1)1) War should be avoided at all costs. War should be avoided at all costs.

2)2) War should be fought only to save innocent lives. War should be fought only to save innocent lives.

3)3) War is a noble pursuit.War is a noble pursuit.

4)4) War should be used to gain territory and increase War should be used to gain territory and increase power.power.

How can you split these statements into two categories?

Difference between European nations and US in 1914• European nations – 3 & 4• United States – 1 & 2

Fundamental Causes – M-A-I-N Militarism – building up of armed forces,

getting ready for war• Arms race between France and Germany• Naval rivalry btw GB & Ger.• Austria and Russia competing for influence in S. E. Europe

Alliances – agreements to help/ defend each other• Two alliance system in existence in Europe

Imperialism – trying to build an empire• German attempts to gain colonies annoy and frighten France, Britain,

and Russia.• Crumbling Ottoman Empire – countries had interest as possible area

of expansion

Nationalism – having pride in your country, willing to defend it• France wanted revenge on Germany for loss of land in 1871 – matter

of national pride• These strong feelings for one’s nation contributed to outbreak of the

war

Immediate Cause of WWI

AssassinationAssassination of heir to Austro- of heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Archduke Franz FerdinandFerdinand, by a Serbian patriot on June , by a Serbian patriot on June 28, 1914 in Bosnian town of Sarajevo.28, 1914 in Bosnian town of Sarajevo.

Austria made Austria made extreme demands on extreme demands on Serbia Serbia ––• who had an alliance with who had an alliance with RussiaRussia

When Austria declared war on Serbia, a When Austria declared war on Serbia, a ““chain reactionchain reaction” was set into action ” was set into action bringing most of the Europe into the bringing most of the Europe into the war.war.