long-term causes
militarism
-The growing European division had led to an arms race between the main countries. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914 and there was competition between Britain and Germany for the seas. The British introduced an effective battleship in 1906 called the 'Dreadnought'. The Germans soon made their own battleships and they also had made a plan to attack France using Belgium if Russia attacked Germany.
-Britain had the biggest navy in the world and wanted to keep it that way, but Germany also wanted to upgrade and increase its navy. A race began with both sides wanting to build the most battleships. This is where the Dreadnoughts came in.
Caption: This image shows how the armies upgraded in their weapons because of the existing tensions and competitions between them and others.
-Britain had the biggest navy in the world and wanted to keep it that way, but Germany also wanted to upgrade and increase its navy. A race began with both sides wanting to build the most battleships. This is where the Dreadnoughts came in.
Caption: This image shows how the armies upgraded in their weapons because of the existing tensions and competitions between them and others.
alliance
-Several alliances had been signed by countries between 1879 and 1914. This meant that some countries had no other option than to declare war if one of their allies declared war first.
-In 1882, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy formed the Triple Alliance in which they promised to defend each other if either were attacked.
-In 1907 France, Russia and Britain formed the Triple Entente. They didn't promise to help each other out, but they just wanted to encircle Germany and Austria-Hungary.
-By 1914, all major powers were linked by a system of alliances which made it more likely to start a war.
Caption: This American cartoon shows Siberia being attacked by Austria-Hungary, who is then attacked by Russia, who is then attacked by Germany, who is then attacked by Britain or France. Each say: "Leave him alone or i'll...". This represents how all of these places were on attack mode,and were linked by alliances.
-In 1882, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy formed the Triple Alliance in which they promised to defend each other if either were attacked.
-In 1907 France, Russia and Britain formed the Triple Entente. They didn't promise to help each other out, but they just wanted to encircle Germany and Austria-Hungary.
-By 1914, all major powers were linked by a system of alliances which made it more likely to start a war.
Caption: This American cartoon shows Siberia being attacked by Austria-Hungary, who is then attacked by Russia, who is then attacked by Germany, who is then attacked by Britain or France. Each say: "Leave him alone or i'll...". This represents how all of these places were on attack mode,and were linked by alliances.
imperialism
-All the great powers were competing for territory, raw materials, cheap labor and soldiers, and taxes
-By 1900, The British lands had extended over five continents and France had control over large areas of Africa. With industrialism rising, countries needed new markets. The amounts of land 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany who gained small areas of Africa.
Caption: This image shows imperialism right before WWI.
-By 1900, The British lands had extended over five continents and France had control over large areas of Africa. With industrialism rising, countries needed new markets. The amounts of land 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany who gained small areas of Africa.
Caption: This image shows imperialism right before WWI.
nationalism
-This was a period of time when all nations wanted to possess power and independence.
-National aspiration made the Empires Fragile. Other empires built themselves as nations such as Germany.
-The Congress of Vienna was aimed to sort out problems in Europe. The delegates in Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia decided on a new Europe that left Germany and Italy as divided states. Strong Nationalist elements led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. At the end of the Franco-Prussian War, France was angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and wanted to regain their lost territory. Large areas in Austria-Hungary and Serbia were home to different nationalist groups who wanted freedom from the states in which they lived.
Caption: This was propaganda from WWI showing Uncle Sam telling you that he want you to being the U.S. army. This shows nationalism because it implies that you, as an American, have to have pride in your country, and go out and fight for your country. Also, Uncle Sam is an iconic figure for the U.S. representing Nationalism.
-National aspiration made the Empires Fragile. Other empires built themselves as nations such as Germany.
-The Congress of Vienna was aimed to sort out problems in Europe. The delegates in Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia decided on a new Europe that left Germany and Italy as divided states. Strong Nationalist elements led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. At the end of the Franco-Prussian War, France was angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and wanted to regain their lost territory. Large areas in Austria-Hungary and Serbia were home to different nationalist groups who wanted freedom from the states in which they lived.
Caption: This was propaganda from WWI showing Uncle Sam telling you that he want you to being the U.S. army. This shows nationalism because it implies that you, as an American, have to have pride in your country, and go out and fight for your country. Also, Uncle Sam is an iconic figure for the U.S. representing Nationalism.
short-term cause
WORLD NEWS!
Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated!!
On the 28th of June, 1914, Both Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg were assassinated on the streets of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, that afternoon. The duchess was deliberately shielding her husband from the second shot when she was killed.The royal couple had been touring the city in an open car, with barely any security. The car later took a wrong turn, and the assassin saw it as a chance to fire at them and did. The assassin was a student named Gavrilo Prinzip. He was 19 and was born at Grahovo. Prinzip declared that he had intended for a long time to kill some eminent personage from nationalist motives. He made his attempt where the car had to slacken speed when turning. When he saw the duchess in the car at first, he hesitated, but then fired two shots. The effect of this assassination was grand. The Serbian government took steps to wipe out terrorist organizations within its borders and accept an independent investigation by the Austro-Hungarian government into Franz Ferdinand's assassination, or face military action. Later, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia. The German army then launched its attack on Russia's ally, France, through Belgium, violating Belgian neutrality and bringing Great Britain into the war as well.