Causes of World War ICauses of World War IPart 1Part 1

Entangling AlliancesEntangling Alliances

After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, there was a After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, there was a balance of power in Europebalance of power in Europe

France was defeated by Germany in 1870-71 France was defeated by Germany in 1870-71 (Germany got Alsace-Lorraine); ended balance (Germany got Alsace-Lorraine); ended balance of power because Germany was unitedof power because Germany was united

Germany was now:Germany was now: First in military, education, and scientific discoveryFirst in military, education, and scientific discovery 67 million people – 2nd to Russia67 million people – 2nd to Russia Produced much coal, iron, and steelProduced much coal, iron, and steel Were catching up to BritainWere catching up to Britain

Agricultural output doubledAgricultural output doubled Industry production quadrupledIndustry production quadrupled Trade tripledTrade tripled

Entangling AlliancesEntangling Alliances Details of the alliances were kept secret and Details of the alliances were kept secret and

were only published in full after the wars, so were only published in full after the wars, so parliament wasn’t consultedparliament wasn’t consulted

Diplomats were expected to have a private Diplomats were expected to have a private income sufficient to maintain themselves in income sufficient to maintain themselves in style if they were to serve abroad, so most style if they were to serve abroad, so most diplomats were from the privileged classesdiplomats were from the privileged classes

Believed that the alliance system would Believed that the alliance system would maintain the balance of powermaintain the balance of power

Believed that the alliance system would Believed that the alliance system would prevent war – “a war of group against group prevent war – “a war of group against group would be a measureless calamity” – would be a measureless calamity” – The The TimesTimes (April 1914) (April 1914)

Entangling AlliancesEntangling Alliances

In 1879, the Dual Alliance was In 1879, the Dual Alliance was formed between Germany and formed between Germany and Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary

Purpose - were to help each other in Purpose - were to help each other in case of an attackcase of an attack

Why Form the Dual Alliance Why Form the Dual Alliance (1879)?(1879)?

Germany’s reasonsGermany’s reasons Austria-Hungary was partly Austria-Hungary was partly

German empireGerman empire Austria-Hungary could be Austria-Hungary could be

more easily dominatedmore easily dominated Their territory could be Their territory could be

used as a path to the used as a path to the Middle EastMiddle East

Germany wanted to Germany wanted to maintain a balance of maintain a balance of power in their favorpower in their favor

It would alarm the Russians It would alarm the Russians into making better into making better relations with Germanyrelations with Germany

Austria’s reasonsAustria’s reasons It meant an It meant an

additional additional guarantee of the guarantee of the empire’s stabilityempire’s stability

The maintenance of The maintenance of Austria-Hungary as Austria-Hungary as a Great Power a Great Power depended on the depended on the alliancealliance

ConsequencesConsequences

The maintenance of Austria-The maintenance of Austria-Hungary as a Great Power Hungary as a Great Power became a major foreign policy became a major foreign policy goal for Germany because Austria goal for Germany because Austria was seen as Germany’s only was seen as Germany’s only reliable allyreliable ally

The incorporation of Bosnia-The incorporation of Bosnia-Herzegovina was seen as a way to Herzegovina was seen as a way to strengthen Austria-Hungary’s strengthen Austria-Hungary’s position as a Great Power, but it position as a Great Power, but it was a blow to Serbia’s objective of was a blow to Serbia’s objective of making a Greater Serbiamaking a Greater Serbia

Map of Europe today

Triple Alliance (1882)Triple Alliance (1882)

Italy switched from a policy of internal Italy switched from a policy of internal improvement to nationalism/imperialism when improvement to nationalism/imperialism when they united in 1866they united in 1866

They wanted:They wanted: Trentino and Trieste - both held by Austria-Hungary Trentino and Trieste - both held by Austria-Hungary

after their war with Italy in 1866after their war with Italy in 1866 Nice and Savoy – had been ceded to France in Nice and Savoy – had been ceded to France in

return for French helpreturn for French help Semi-autonomous Turkish territories of Tunisia and Semi-autonomous Turkish territories of Tunisia and

Tripolis (had Italians living in them)Tripolis (had Italians living in them) Corsica – French, but once a dependency of GenoaCorsica – French, but once a dependency of Genoa

Purpose of Triple Alliance (1882) – to come to Purpose of Triple Alliance (1882) – to come to each other’s aid if there is a wareach other’s aid if there is a war

Why Form the Triple Alliance Why Form the Triple Alliance (1882)?(1882)?

It appeared to give Italy It appeared to give Italy status as a Great Powerstatus as a Great Power

It offered the prospect of It offered the prospect of support in an attempt to support in an attempt to win some colonial win some colonial compensation for compensation for France’s acquisition of France’s acquisition of Tunisia the year beforeTunisia the year before

Italy wanted to establish Italy wanted to establish influence in the Balkansinfluence in the Balkans

Dual Entente (1893)Dual Entente (1893)

Bismarck closed the German money markets to Bismarck closed the German money markets to Russian loans (for military and industrial Russian loans (for military and industrial development) in 1885 in order to discourage development) in 1885 in order to discourage their engaging in a war in the Balkans, so the their engaging in a war in the Balkans, so the French replaced themFrench replaced them

France was very concerned about an attack France was very concerned about an attack from Germany again, so they took the from Germany again, so they took the opportunity to form an allianceopportunity to form an alliance

In 1893, the Dual Entente was formed between In 1893, the Dual Entente was formed between France and RussiaFrance and Russia

Purpose - Both countries would partially Purpose - Both countries would partially mobilize in case of an attack by Germany or mobilize in case of an attack by Germany or Austria-Hungary (with the support of Germany)Austria-Hungary (with the support of Germany)

Why Form the Dual Entente Why Form the Dual Entente (1893)?(1893)?

The British threatened Russian and French spheres of The British threatened Russian and French spheres of influencesinfluences

Because of the closing of the German money markets Because of the closing of the German money markets and there was a tariff war between Germany and and there was a tariff war between Germany and RussiaRussia

There could be no reconciliation between France and There could be no reconciliation between France and Germany after Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine in Germany after Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine in the Franco-Prussian Warthe Franco-Prussian War

France hoped to use the alliance to return Alsace and France hoped to use the alliance to return Alsace and Lorraine and be in a position to establish control of Lorraine and be in a position to establish control of Morocco without German influenceMorocco without German influence

It was a way to counter the threat of Germany allied It was a way to counter the threat of Germany allied with Austria-Hungary – it would be a deterrent to warwith Austria-Hungary – it would be a deterrent to war

France could maintain their preeminence in Europe France could maintain their preeminence in Europe and stand up to Germanyand stand up to Germany

Entente Cordiale (1904)Entente Cordiale (1904) Anglo-French Entente (Entente Cordiale) - 1904Anglo-French Entente (Entente Cordiale) - 1904

Purpose – Settle imperial disputes with France & Purpose – Settle imperial disputes with France & BritainBritain

This was not a formal defense allianceThis was not a formal defense alliance Why the Anglo-French Entente (1904)?Why the Anglo-French Entente (1904)?

France had an alliance w/Russia, while Britain had France had an alliance w/Russia, while Britain had an alliance with Japan (because of their interests in an alliance with Japan (because of their interests in the far east) - if Russia and Japan attacked each the far east) - if Russia and Japan attacked each other, it would mean a general warother, it would mean a general war

Both were also concerned over Germany and their Both were also concerned over Germany and their fleetfleet

France couldn’t maintain both a fleet equal to France couldn’t maintain both a fleet equal to Britain and an army equal to GermanyBritain and an army equal to Germany

Entangling AlliancesEntangling AlliancesConsequencesConsequences

Britain felt that if they didn’t Britain felt that if they didn’t maintain a close relationship maintain a close relationship with France, they might turn to with France, they might turn to Germany (at the expense of the Germany (at the expense of the British Empire)British Empire)

Britain made a naval agreement Britain made a naval agreement with France (British navy would with France (British navy would concentrate on the English concentrate on the English Channel; French navy would Channel; French navy would concentrate on the concentrate on the Mediterranean)Mediterranean)

Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)(Triple Entente is now formed)(Triple Entente is now formed)

Anglo-Russian Entente - 1907Anglo-Russian Entente - 1907 Purpose – Settle imperial differences in the Middle EastPurpose – Settle imperial differences in the Middle East

Why the Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)?Why the Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)? German naval building was seen as a threat to Britain’s German naval building was seen as a threat to Britain’s

imperial interestsimperial interests Britain feared Germany hegemony (dominance) on the Britain feared Germany hegemony (dominance) on the

European continentEuropean continent It settled old differences between them and borders It settled old differences between them and borders

between their two empires in Persia, Afghanistan, and between their two empires in Persia, Afghanistan, and TibetTibet

The Russian defeat by Japan made the Russian The Russian defeat by Japan made the Russian government anxious to improve relations with Britaingovernment anxious to improve relations with Britain

Britain and France could strengthen the fledgling Britain and France could strengthen the fledgling parliamentary system in Russiaparliamentary system in Russia

Gave the Russians hopes of British support for their Gave the Russians hopes of British support for their aspirations in the Balkansaspirations in the Balkans

False BeliefsFalse Beliefs

Bethmann Hollweg, Chancellor of Bethmann Hollweg, Chancellor of Germany, believed that if Russia started Germany, believed that if Russia started the war, then Britain would not intervenethe war, then Britain would not intervene

Franz Conrad, the Chief of Staff of Franz Conrad, the Chief of Staff of Austria-Hungary, believed that Russian Austria-Hungary, believed that Russian support for Serbia might turn out to be support for Serbia might turn out to be bluffbluff

Russian officials believed that if they Russian officials believed that if they supported Serbia, Germany wouldn’t supported Serbia, Germany wouldn’t interveneintervene

Militarism/NationalismMilitarism/Nationalism

Caused by:Caused by:Imperialism – race to get colonies to build your Imperialism – race to get colonies to build your

empire and get resourcesempire and get resourcesBelief in social darwinism – your race is the bestBelief in social darwinism – your race is the bestThe Influence of Sea Power in HistoryThe Influence of Sea Power in History (1905) Thayer (1905) Thayer

Mahan – no nation can maintain its great power Mahan – no nation can maintain its great power status without naval powerstatus without naval power

Industrialism – countries could produce weapons fast Industrialism – countries could produce weapons fast and that are more deadly (arms races)and that are more deadly (arms races)

A desire by many nations to maintain a position of A desire by many nations to maintain a position of preeminence or balance of powerpreeminence or balance of power

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - GermanyGermany

The Prussians formed the The Prussians formed the dominant element in the army and dominant element in the army and they had a tradition of strong they had a tradition of strong military valuesmilitary values

This affected the whole of German This affected the whole of German society after unificationsociety after unification

In addition, Germany still had In addition, Germany still had individual states (Landers), that individual states (Landers), that possessed important powers over possessed important powers over day-to-day life of their citizens, so day-to-day life of their citizens, so foreign policy was seen as a way foreign policy was seen as a way to unify the countryto unify the country

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - GermanyGermany

WeltpolitikWeltpolitik The policy sought Germany's “place in the sun” The policy sought Germany's “place in the sun”

that was fitting to its rising industrial strength, that was fitting to its rising industrial strength, primarily by the creation of a colonial empire to primarily by the creation of a colonial empire to rival those of other powersrival those of other powers

The most dramatic element in the policy was the The most dramatic element in the policy was the construction of the High Seas Fleet, a navy which construction of the High Seas Fleet, a navy which would rival, or even exceed, the UK’s Royal Navy would rival, or even exceed, the UK’s Royal Navy in strengthin strength

This policy was sought by Admiral Alfred von This policy was sought by Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. He convinced the Reichstag that without Tirpitz. He convinced the Reichstag that without the navy, German decline was certainthe navy, German decline was certain

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - GermanyGermany

Arguments for the fleet:Arguments for the fleet: Because of Britain’s many worldwide commitments, Because of Britain’s many worldwide commitments,

a battleship fleet only 2/3 the size would bring a battleship fleet only 2/3 the size would bring victoryvictory

Fleet would act as a deterrent, ensuring Britain’s Fleet would act as a deterrent, ensuring Britain’s neutrality in any future conflictneutrality in any future conflict

Other countries would only respect and deal with Other countries would only respect and deal with Germany fairly when Germany’s navy was built up Germany fairly when Germany’s navy was built up that muchthat much

What Were the Results of What Were the Results of Weltpolitik?Weltpolitik?

It led to an Anglo-German naval race where each It led to an Anglo-German naval race where each sought to outbuild the other in dreadnoughtssought to outbuild the other in dreadnoughts

This naval building led to increased taxes and strained This naval building led to increased taxes and strained economieseconomies

This kind of naval building turned out to be This kind of naval building turned out to be inappropriate for the war; the war at sea was primarily inappropriate for the war; the war at sea was primarily a war of submarinesa war of submarines

Led to Britain’s fear that they would lose the balance Led to Britain’s fear that they would lose the balance of power and their empireof power and their empire Britain began a naval building program in 1889Britain began a naval building program in 1889 Britain and other countries refused to end warship Britain and other countries refused to end warship

construction because it would affect manufacturing and tradeconstruction because it would affect manufacturing and trade

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - GermanyGermany

Schlieffen Plan – Schlieffen Plan – Developed when Russia had been Developed when Russia had been

defeated by Japan in 1904-05 and defeated by Japan in 1904-05 and Russia was in their first revolutionRussia was in their first revolution

Dependent on quick mobilization and Dependent on quick mobilization and defeat of France, then defeat of defeat of France, then defeat of RussiaRussia

They thought it would take Russia 40 They thought it would take Russia 40 days to mobilizedays to mobilize

Wanted to go through neutral BelgiumWanted to go through neutral Belgium

Militarism/Nationalism – Militarism/Nationalism – AustriaAustria

Austrian Naval League (1905) – Austrian Naval League (1905) – explained that Austria-Hungary ought explained that Austria-Hungary ought to follow the path taken by Germanyto follow the path taken by Germany

By 1912, the largest budget in Austro-By 1912, the largest budget in Austro-Hungarian history was approvedHungarian history was approved

New military laws guaranteed their New military laws guaranteed their armed forces an annual contingent of armed forces an annual contingent of 181,000 men, with increases over the 181,000 men, with increases over the next 5 yearsnext 5 years

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - AustriaAustria

Wanted to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina Wanted to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina Plan B (Balkans) - Planned a Plan B (Balkans) - Planned a

campaign to crush Serbia quickly campaign to crush Serbia quickly before Russia could get involvedbefore Russia could get involved

Plan R (Russia) - Another plan Plan R (Russia) - Another plan developed later that would attack developed later that would attack Serbia, prevent Russian assistance to Serbia, prevent Russian assistance to Serbia, deploy troops to Russia, and Serbia, deploy troops to Russia, and leave northern A-H up to Germany to leave northern A-H up to Germany to protectprotect

Militarism/Nationalism - ItalyMilitarism/Nationalism - Italy

The army was a symbol of Italy’s unity The army was a symbol of Italy’s unity and status as a Great Powerand status as a Great Power

Italy engaged in a military and naval arms Italy engaged in a military and naval arms race, primarily against Austria-Hungary race, primarily against Austria-Hungary and Franceand France

They were to have a superiority of 2:1.6 They were to have a superiority of 2:1.6 dreadnoughts over Austriadreadnoughts over Austria

Throughout the 1890s, Italian generals Throughout the 1890s, Italian generals had planned for war with France, but also had planned for war with France, but also with Austria-Hungary. Annual maneuvers with Austria-Hungary. Annual maneuvers began to be held in the Alpsbegan to be held in the Alps

Militarism/Nationalism - Militarism/Nationalism - RussiaRussia

Knew that if they had war, they would have to face Knew that if they had war, they would have to face war against Germany and Austria-Hungarywar against Germany and Austria-Hungary

Believed they were the overseer of the Slavs in the Believed they were the overseer of the Slavs in the BalkansBalkans

Approved huge army and naval increases in 1913Approved huge army and naval increases in 1913 Plan 19 – The plan for a war against Germany and Plan 19 – The plan for a war against Germany and

Austria-Hungary. If Germany attacked France, Russia Austria-Hungary. If Germany attacked France, Russia would send 9 army corps against Germany and 16 would send 9 army corps against Germany and 16 army corps to attack Austria-Hungary. It was based army corps to attack Austria-Hungary. It was based on the assumption that Germany would be too busy in on the assumption that Germany would be too busy in the west to intervene effectively on the eastern frontthe west to intervene effectively on the eastern front

Militarism/Nationalism Militarism/Nationalism - France- France

Wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine and have Wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine and have colonies in Africacolonies in Africa

Extended compulsory military service from Extended compulsory military service from 2-3 years2-3 years

Increased naval expendituresIncreased naval expenditures Plan XVII – Developed by Ferdinand Foch Plan XVII – Developed by Ferdinand Foch

following the Franco-Prussian War and following the Franco-Prussian War and continued by Joseph Joffre. Hoped that continued by Joseph Joffre. Hoped that once a German invasion through Alsace once a German invasion through Alsace occurred, an all-out attack on the diverted occurred, an all-out attack on the diverted German forces (because they would be German forces (because they would be engaged in the East by Russia) would engaged in the East by Russia) would achieve a quick winachieve a quick win

ConsequencesConsequences

A move to increase armaments was never A move to increase armaments was never isolated, but was followed by increase military isolated, but was followed by increase military expenditure in other statesexpenditure in other states

The arms race itself contributed to the feeling The arms race itself contributed to the feeling that war was inevitablethat war was inevitable

Germany naval expansion provoked British Germany naval expansion provoked British naval expansion, and Austria-Hungary was naval expansion, and Austria-Hungary was inspired by Germany’s naval expansion to do inspired by Germany’s naval expansion to do the samethe same

Russian military expenditure provided the Russian military expenditure provided the excuse for German army increases and these excuse for German army increases and these in turn provoked the French 3-year lawin turn provoked the French 3-year law

Domestic Issues - Domestic Issues - GermanyGermany

Kaiser Wilhelm IIKaiser Wilhelm II Was emperorWas emperor Was intelligent, but highly emotional and Was intelligent, but highly emotional and

unpredictableunpredictable Had a need to show himself equal of his British Had a need to show himself equal of his British

relativesrelatives Election of 1912Election of 1912

Social Democrats, Progressives, and Center parties Social Democrats, Progressives, and Center parties formed a coalition and demanded a constitutional formed a coalition and demanded a constitutional monarchy responsible to the Reichstagmonarchy responsible to the Reichstag

Conservatives, militarists, and Wilhelm became Conservatives, militarists, and Wilhelm became concerned and wanted to defeat democratic concerned and wanted to defeat democratic socialismsocialism

They developed an increasingly militarized court, They developed an increasingly militarized court, anger, and fear/pessimism about the futureanger, and fear/pessimism about the future

Germany Wants War?Germany Wants War? 1912 marks the end of the confident thinking of the 1912 marks the end of the confident thinking of the

Kaiser and his top staffKaiser and his top staff Chief of Staff Ludwig Moltke believed that war was Chief of Staff Ludwig Moltke believed that war was

inevitable and contributed to the warlike mood in inevitable and contributed to the warlike mood in GermanyGermany

Their Austro-Hungarian ally was in dire straits, weakened Their Austro-Hungarian ally was in dire straits, weakened by the dispute among the nationalities composed in the by the dispute among the nationalities composed in the empireempire

Russia had recovered from their defeat against Japan and Russia had recovered from their defeat against Japan and was launching a huge program of military expansion and was launching a huge program of military expansion and preparednesspreparedness

Russia’s protégés in the Balkans were increasing in Russia’s protégés in the Balkans were increasing in strength after their victory in the first Balkan warstrength after their victory in the first Balkan war

After the elections of 1912, more Social Democrats were After the elections of 1912, more Social Democrats were in the Reichstag than ever beforein the Reichstag than ever before

Domestic Issues – Austria-Domestic Issues – Austria-HungaryHungary

Constitutional Settlement of 1867Constitutional Settlement of 1867 Linked Austria with HungaryLinked Austria with Hungary

Dualism was seen as a device for excluding Dualism was seen as a device for excluding the Slav majority from their rightful and equal the Slav majority from their rightful and equal place in the empireplace in the empire

By dividing the empire, the Magyars By dividing the empire, the Magyars (Hungarians) and Germans (Austrians) (Hungarians) and Germans (Austrians) constituted the majority, each in their own constituted the majority, each in their own half. The majority of the 21 million Slavs in half. The majority of the 21 million Slavs in the empire as a whole was thus turned into the empire as a whole was thus turned into minoritiesminorities