Europe, Summer 1914 ASSASSINATION! Archduke Ferdinand of Austria Killed by Serbian Nationialist How will your nation react? ULTIMATUM ISSUED! Austria-Hungary Issued Set of Demands: Austrian police would help suppress subversives on Serbian territory Austrian courts would help to prosecute accused conspirators inside Serbia. Serbia given 48 hours to reply How will your nation react? RUSSIA TO MOBILIZE TROOPS! Russia announces that it is going to mobilize its armed forces as a precautionary measure How will your nation react? Chain Reaction of Immediate Causes (Do NOT memorize these dates, but note that it all happened in just over a month!!) June 28 th : Archduke Ferdinand assassinated July 5 th : Germany gives Austria-Hungary its support, known as the blank check July 28 th : With A-H confident, they pressure Serbia w/ultimatum July 29 th : Russia Mobilized as a protective measure Aug. 1 st : Germany declares war on Russia Aug. 4 th : Germany set its war plan in motion by invading Belgium, fearing an attack on two fronts Alliance system dragged other nations into conflict, Debrief What does this alliance activity demonstrate about the causes of World War I? The MAIN Causes of World War I... M ilitarism A lliance System I mperialism N ationalism M ilitarism Arms race/glorification of armed strength; use of military as a tool of diplomacy Especially between Germany and Britain Raised stakes and potential for war to break out Total Defense Spending for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.] (in millions) A lliance System Major powers entered into defensive alliances Although they were intended to provide protection, in reality they ensured a large- scale war I mperialism European powers competed for countries in Africa and Asia Competition for colonies Led to smaller conflicts Increased tension and chances of a large scale war N ationalism Nationalism acted as both a unifying and destabilizing force Countries competed for power and prestige People willing to go great lengths for their country Ethnic groups sought independence Balkans known as Powder Keg of Europe German War Plans Schlieffen Plan: called for quick action against France to avoid a two-front war Take France within 6 weeks before Russia could mobilize You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees. - Kaiser Wilhem II of Germany 11/8/13 Once blood is shed in a national quarrel reason and right are swept aside by the rage of angry men. - David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during WWI The assassination at Sarajevo was certainly the crucial precedent of the European war that its conspirators had sought, but was not the historical cause The assassination acted as a lever, prying the various powers into predictable paths. - J. Bowyer Bell, Historian Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war. - Otto von Bismarck The great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans. - Otto von Bismarck, 1888 The First World War killed fewer victims than the Second World War, destroyed fewer buildings, and uprooted millions instead of tens of millions but in many ways it left even deeper scars both on the mind and on the map of Europe. The old world never recovered from the shock. - Edmund Taylor, historian.