Causes%20of%20World%20War%20I

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Causes of World War I

• (Immediate Causes)

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I. Imperialism

• Competition between France, Great Britain,
  Germany and, Italy in Africa.
• Disputes between Austria-Hungary, Russia, and
  Serbia over the condition of the Balkans.

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Imperialism Continued

• Russia wanted Serbia as the core of an
  independent Slavic state -Yugoslavia.
  Pan-Slavism Unification and cooperation of all
  Slavic people. This could provide the Russians
  with access to warm water ports.
• Austria-Hungary viewed the Balkans as potential
  colonial territory.

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II. Nationalism

• Intense feelings of national pride were built up
  and encouraged in all the major powers.
• Example - The French were taught to want revenge
  for the loss of Alsace-Lorraine.

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III. Militarism

• The technological revolution created an arms race
  across Europe. The major powers needed to build
  new weapons to compete with their potential
  rivals.
• Germany France- Competition for army sizes and
  artillery.

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Militarism Cont

• Germany Great Britain - Naval arms race. This
  was a major competition in naval construction and
  technology. It represented a serious threat to
  Great Britains naval supremacy. It was the
  first time Germany could potentially threaten
  Britains trade on the high seas.

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IV. Inter-tangling Secret Alliances

• Due to the upset in the European balance of power
  caused by German unification, nations looked for
  allies to improve their own security.
• Allied Powers (Triple Entente) Great Britain,
  France, Russia, and Serbia.

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Inter-Tangling Alliances Cont

• Dual Alliance between France and Russia was
  intended to provide mutual support if either were
  attacked by Germany.
• Great Britain would defend France only if Germany
  attacked her, and if it threatened British
  interests. Britain would not tolerate France or
  Germany occupying Belgium. (This is the Entente
  part)

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Inter-tangling Secret Alliances Cont

• Central Powers (Triple Alliance) - Germany,
  Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• This alliance system along with the other
  existing tensions pulled Europe into war when
  Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in
  Sarajevo, Serbia in 1914.
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and
  Germany follows suit.

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V. Economics

• Great Britain felt threatened by Germanys rapid
  industrial and economic growth (Germanys
  factories were out-producing Britains)
• Britain feared Germany may cut off necessary
  naval trade routes to England.