1 the main causes of wwi slideshare version

1. The MAIN Causes of WWI

2. M - Militarism the policy of building a strong military force then using war to get more power such as colonies, land, raw materials, etc. Countries compete to build the largest armies and navies because This helps them to get and protect their colonies around the world.

3. A - Alliances a group of countries united for military protection. Countries in Europe looked for friends to help support them if a war started.

4. WWI Alliances

5. I - Imperialism When a country extends it ’ s rule over another country. Countries form an empire by starting colonies. More colonies = more raw materials, more markets for trade, and more land. Countries come into conflict when competing for colonies.

6. N -Nationalism strong feelings of patriotism ; pride for your mother country Countries felt national pride when their empire conquered other countries. Some ethnic groups felt an intense desire to preserve their own cultural identity, language and traditions. So they wanted to form independent nations , and free themselves from the control of an empire

7. WWI – The Major Players

8. The Alliances Triple Entente (The Allies) Britain, France, Russia Triple Alliance (Central Powers ) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy , Turkey

9. The Major Players The Triple Entente (The Allies) 1. France gave up 2 rich provinces ( Alsace-Lorraine ) to Germany when they lost the Franco-Prussian War fought with Germany over a claim of Morocco fears Germany, so forms an alliance with Russia The Triple Alliance (Central Powers) 1. Germany Kaiser Wilhelm II wants to have a large, rich colonial empire, like Britain and more raw materials. forms an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy builds up a large army and navy to compete with Britain, France and Russia.

10. The Major Players 2. Russia “ T he sleeping giant ” bordering on Germany. Has a l arge army. “ Big Brother ” to Serbia believes in Pan-Slavism “ Slavic ” countries should be united. Supports these countries because wants access to a warm water port in the Balkans on the Mediterranean Sea 2. Austria-Hungary Slavic nationalism is threatening to break apart its empire ; Slavic groups want to be independent. took over Bosnia , wants to take over Serbia and control all Slavic people.

11. The Major Players 3. Britain has the largest empire has largest navy because has to protect its large empire. In “ arms race ” ( competition ) with Germany to build the largest navy . 3. Italy Has defensive alliance will help Germany and Austria-Hungary if attacked . Their actions are offensive so Italy stays neutral . Later joins the Allies.

12. The Major Players 4. Serbia angry because Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia (a Slavic country), because they wanted Bosnia to join them. Bosnian Serb terrorist group, the Black Hand are ready to fight to unite all Slavic people. 4.Turkey (Ottoman Empire) has controlled the Balkans for 100 years, now empire is crumbling. Fears losing more land to Russian expansion, so makes a secret alliance with Germany

13. Countdown to WWI Rebellions of the Slavic people in the Austro-Hungarian Empire made the area known as the Balkans , “T he P owder K eg of Europe. ” It was ready to explode into a war.

14. 1. The Assassinatio n “ The Spark that Lit the Powder Keg ” June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand , the heir to the Austrian monarchy, and his wife, Sophie, were visiting Sarajevo , the capital city of Bosnia.

15. Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are shot and killed by Gavrillo Princip , a member of the Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand .

16. 2. Blank Cheque Austria-Hungary asks Germany for advice and Germany gives them a Blank Cheque – this means that they will support Austria even if it means war.

17. 3. Ultimatum Austria-Hungary prepares for war and sends the Serbs an ultimatum hand over the terrorist or face war 4. Serbia agrees to only parts of the ultimatum, so Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia 5. Russia ’ s leader Tsar Nicholas II, gives Serbia a blank cheque (full support) and prepares for war against Austria Hungary

18. 6. Germany tells Russia to back down, Russia refuses, so Germany declares war on Russia. 7. France has an alliance with Russia, so France declares war on Germany 8. Germany declares war on France .

19. The Schlieffen Plan realizing that it is best to attack France first, Germany attacks France through Belgium . Goal – to defeat France in 6 weeks while Russia is still preparing for war and avoid a Two-Front War , having to fight France and Russia at the same time. Problem – Belgium is a neutral country and has a treaty with Britain to protect its neutrality.

20. Aug 4, 1914 Britain declares war on Germany. WWI begins. All British colonies, including CANADA , are automatically at war.