The_Causes_of_the_First_World_War_(2)(2).pptx

causas de la primera guerra mundial

1. The Causes of the First World War

2. Six causes of the First World War The First World War began in the summer of 1914, shortly after the assassination of Austria’s Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, and lasted more than four years, ending in 1918. The Great War left more than 20 million soldiers dead and 21 million more wounded, which can be attributed to trench warfare and the number of countries involved in the war. For aspiring historians, understanding the causes of World War I are equally as important as understanding the conflict’s devastating effects. Though the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the direct precipitating event leading to the declaration of war, there were many other factors that also played a role in leading up to World War I (WWI).

3. European Imperialism Prior to World War I, the British and French Empires were the world’s most powerful, colonizing regions like India, modern-day Vietnam and West and North Africa. The expansion of European nations as empires (also known as imperialism) can be seen as a key cause of World War I, because as countries like Britain and France expanded their empires, it resulted in increased tensions among European countries. Germany only emerged as an independent country in 1871 . This new, united Germany would soon become exceedingly wealthy through industrialization and begin to showcase its power on the global stage through the acquisition of colonies in Africa. This led to Germany wanting to challenge France's growing control over Morocco, aggravating France and Great Britain and causing the First and Second Morocco Crises. Germany also invested heavily in military spending, hoping to build a navy that could challenge Britain’s globally renowned fleet. This rapid militarization ignited an arms race on the continent, which unsettled Europe’s balance of power.

4. European Empire Map

5. Discussion Was Germany right to challenge Britain and France over its own plan to have an empire? Was it unusual that the world was divided into empires? https://bestdiplomats.org/largest-empires-in-history/

6. 2.Conflicts over Alliances In 1871, German unification dramatically altered the balance of power in Europe, which led to countries throughout Europe creating alliances. The alliances promised that each country would support the other if war ever broke out between an ally and another Great Power. Prior to WWI, the alliances of Russia and Serbia; France and Russia; Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary; Britain, France and Belgium; France, Britain and Russia; and Japan and Britain were firmly in place. The alliance, between France and Russia , formed in 1894 and then later Great Britain which became known as the Entente Cordiale after 1904(France) and 1907(Russia) agreements (not a binding military alliance for Britain), caused the most friction among nations. Germany felt that this alliance surrounding them was a threat to their power and existence. As tensions continued to rise over alliances, the preexisting alliances fed into other countries declaring war against one another in the face of conflict. These conflicts over alliances — which forced nations to come to the defense of one another — led to the formation of the two sides of World War I, the Allied and Central Powers. By the start of the war, Italy and the United States entered on the side of the Allied Powers , which consisted of Russia, France and Great Britain . The Central Powers , alternately, consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria .

7. Discussion Did the alliances make the european powers stronger or weaker? Did the system of alliances make war inevitable?

8. 3 . Germany Millenarianism – Spirit of 1914 Millenarianism is a belief held by a religious, political or social group or movement that a coming major transformation will occur, after which all things will be changed. For Germany, leading into World War I, historians report that the Spirit of 1914 was high, with support from the German population for participation in the war. The German government believed that the onset of war and its support of Austria-Hungary was a way to secure its place as a leading power, which was supported by public nationalism and further united it behind the monarchy. The success Germans saw in the opening battles of WWI provided a platform for the German government to position itself as able to accomplish more when unified and nationalistic. However, this millenarianism was short-lived, as Germany was unprepared to fight the long war, which took a dramatic and demoralizing toll on its people and later set the stage for the rise of the Third Reich, less than two decades later.

9. 4. Serbian Nationalism Nationalism was one of many political forces at play in the time leading up to World War I, with Serbian nationalism in particular, playing a key role. Serbian nationalism can be dated to the mid- and late-1800s, though two precipitating nationalism events are directly linked to the start of WWI. In the Balkans, Slavic Serbs sought independence from Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, and in 1878, they tried to gain control of Bosnia and Herzegovina to form a unified Serbian state. With the decline of the Ottoman Empire, Serbian nationalism continued to rise, culminating in the assassination of the Archduke of Austria in 1914 by a Bosnian Serb who was a member of the Black Hand a terrorist group and officially triggering the start of the Great War.

10. Serbia 1914 Serbia 1911

11. 5 . The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand On June 28, 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip . Ferdinand was chosen as a target because he was to be the heir of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On the day of his assassination, the Archduke traveled to Sarajevo to inspect imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Ottoman territories acquired by Austria-Hungary in 1908. While Ferdinand was traveling in an open car in Sarajevo, Princip fired into the car, shooting Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which was rejected and led Austria-Hungary to declare war against Serbia, with German support. Russia then came to Serbia’s defense, therefore initiating the First World War.

12. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian Hungarian throne, and his wife The assassin, Bosnian Serb, Gavrilo Princip

13. Imprisonment and death of Princip Princip was chained to a wall in solitary confinement at the Small Fortress in Terezín, where he lived in harsh conditions and developed tuberculosis.The disease ate away his bones so badly that his right arm had to be amputated. Princip met with Martin Pappenheim, a psychiatrist in the Austro-Hungarian army, four times. Pappenheim wrote that Princip asserted that the First World War would have occurred even if the assassination had not taken place, and that he "cannot feel himself responsible for the catastrophe" . Princip died on 28 April 1918, three years and ten months after the assassination. At the time of his death, weakened by malnutrition and disease, he weighed around 40 kilograms. Princip's prison guards secretly took the body to an unmarked grave, but a Czech soldier assigned to the burial remembered the location, and in 1920 Princip and the other "Heroes of Vidovdan" were exhumed and brought to Sarajevo, where they were buried together beneath the Vidovdan Heroes Chapel "built to commemorate for eternity our Serb heroes" at the Holy Archangels Cemetery.

14. Princip's bronze statue in Belgrade. Princip's prison cell at the Terezín fortress. Princip, seated centre of first row, during the trial.

15. Discussion How should Austria-Hungary have reacted to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

16. 6 . The Blank Cheque Assurance: Conspired Plans of Germany and Austria-Hungary The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary at the start of World War I is also commonly known as the “blank cheque assurance”. In July 1914, during a meeting between members of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, the Ambassador to Berlin, the German Emperor and the German Chancellor, Germany offered Austria-Hungary unconditional support in the wake of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This “blank cheque,” via unconditional support, sought military and political triumph in securing the Balkans. It also gave Austro-Hungarian leaders the confidence needed to embark on war against Serbia. Today, historians regard it as one of the most controversial decisions in the history of modern warfare, particularly because Germany failed to withdraw the unconditional support when given the opportunity. It is also widely recognized as one of the main reasons Germany is seen as responsible for the escalation and continuation of World War I.

17. Chancellor (Prime Minister) of Germany Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg German Emperor and King of Prussia Kaiser Wilhelm II Chef de cabinet of the Imperial Foreign Minister, pro-war Austrian-Hungarian diplomat. Alexander Graf von Hoyos

18. Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum to Serbia The Royal Serbian Government shall undertake: (1) To suppress any publication which incites to hatred and contempt of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy; (2) To dissolve immediately the group named "Narodna Odbrana," to confiscate all its means of propaganda, and to proceed in the same manner against other societies and their branches in Serbia which engage in propaganda against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. (3) To eliminate without delay from public instruction in Serbia propaganda against Austria-Hungary; (4) To remove from the military service all officers guilty of propaganda against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy; (5) To accept the collaboration in Serbia of representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government for the suppression of the subversive movement directed against the territorial integrity of the Monarchy; (Serbia wanted more clarity on this point) (6) To take judicial proceedings against accessories to the plot of the 28th of June who are on Serbian territory; delegates of the Austro-Hungarian Government will take part in the investigation relating thereto;( a violation of the Constitution ) (7) To proceed without delay to the arrest of Major Voija Tankositch and of the individual named Milan Ciganovitch, a Serbian State employee, who have been compromised by the results of the magisterial inquiry at Serajevo; (8) To prevent by effective measures the cooperation of the Serbian authorities in the illicit traffic in arms and explosives across the frontier; (9) To furnish the Imperial and Royal Government with explanations regarding the unjustifiable utterances of high Serbian officials, both in Serbia and abroad, who, notwithstanding their official position, have not hesitated since the crime of the 28th of June to express themselves in interviews in terms of hostility to the Austro-Hungarian Government; and, finally, (10) To notify the Imperial and Royal Government without delay of the execution of the measures comprised under the preceding heads. The Austro-Hungarian Government expect the reply of the Royal Government at the latest by 5 o'clock on Saturday evening the 25th of July.

19. Discussion What was the motive of Germany to grant Austria-Hungary a “ blank cheque”? Despite Serbia agreeing to most of the points in the ultimatum set by Austria-Hungary, why do you think Austria-Hungary still declared war?

20. Great Britain Britain was largely removed from the growing crisis in Europe until late July. News of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was met with shock and surprise in Britain, but it was regarded as a distant crisis. As the crisis grew, British involvement remained uncertain, even as the threat of war spread across Europe. Many did not want to fight and believed that Britain should not get involved. The government was divided over Britain's involvement in what was regarded by some as a purely European affair. It had authority over the military in making final decisions for war – unlike in Germany where the military high command had immense power. Britain's foreign policy was based upon maintaining a balance of power in Europe. Britain was also determined to protect its vast global empire and its sea trade. It feared Germany's domination of the continent and its challenge to British industrial and imperial supremacy. But until late July 1914, Britain was largely preoccupied with domestic issues. Social, industrial and political unrest and the threat of civil war in Ireland received most of the nation's attention.

21. Britain takes action From 24 July, British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey tried to organise an international peace conference to prevent further escalation. Although France accepted his proposals, Germany refused. On 29 July, Germany requested British neutrality in the event of a European war, which Britain refused. German victory in western Europe would establish its control along the Channel coast and pose a threat to Britain's security and trade. From 1 August, the British took further action that brought them closer to war. They mobilised the navy and promised to protect the French coast from German aggression through the Channel. On 2 August, the Cabinet agreed to support Belgium if there was a substantial violation of its neutrality.

22. Germany invades Belgium After declaring war on France, Germany was now determined to execute its war plan to defeat France first and then concentrate its forces against Russia. The plan required German troops invade Belgium to get to France. This would be in direct violation of Belgium’s neutrality, which had been guaranteed in a treaty signed by major European powers, including Britain, in 1839. On the evening of 2 August 1914, Germany demanded that its troops be allowed to pass through Belgian territory. Belgium refused. Accepting Germany’s demands would make Belgium complicit in the attack on France and partially responsible for the violation of its own neutrality.

23. Britain and its Empire go to war Germany’s invasion of Belgium tipped the balance for Britain. At 2pm on 4 August, it issued an ultimatum demanding Germany withdraw its troops. At 11pm, the deadline passed without a reply. Britain declared war. Britain’s entry into war was partially a reaction to larger anxieties about the balance of power in Europe , as well as its own security and position in the world. But by violating Belgium’s neutrality, Germany positioned itself as the belligerent aggressor and made British intervention a moral issue about the rights of small nations. The entry of Britain and its empire made this a truly global war. Europe’s leaders went to war with the general support of their citizens. This was especially important in Britain, where there was no compulsory military service and recruitment would be dependent on voluntary enlistment.

24. The July Crisis: A chronology 28 June 1914 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand 5-6 July Germany issues ‘blank cheque’ 23 July Austria issues ultimatum to Serbia, giving Serbia 48 hours to reply. 25 July Serbia replies to the ultimatum, surprisingly meeting almost all demands. Nonetheless, Austria-Hungary breaks off diplomatic relations with Serbia. 28 July Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. 30 July Tsar Nicholas II authorizes Russian general mobilization for the next day. 1 August Germany declares war on Russia. France and Germany begin general mobilisation. 2 August German troops invade Luxembourg as part of its deployment plan. Germany issues ultimatum to Belgium. British cabinet approves protection of French coast and of Belgian neutrality. 3 August German troops invade Belgium; Germany’s declaration of war on France. Italy decision to stay neutral announced. 4 August Britain declares war on Germany. 6 August Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.

25. 'This is how it would look in German lands if the French reached the Rhine.'