Fundamental and Immediate Causes of WWI

Socials 11

Welcome to Socials

Today we will be looking closely at the causes of World War One.

Reminders▪ Political cartoon due at start of class this

Friday (it is unlikely you will have time to work on it in class today) ▪ Re-Test for Gov is at the start of tutorial today. ▪ Check my mark is updated and available for

you to view

Fundamental & Immediate Causes

Fundamental cause: Underlying larger issues that cause an

event to occur (the big problems)

Immediate cause: The spark that starts the event The event starts immediately after the

spark

Fundamental Causes of WWIMilitarism

Alliances

Imperialism

Nationalism

Militarism

Definition: The policy of making a country’s armed forces

strong Background:

Britain = world’s largest navy ▪ Two Power Standard

Germany begins to increase their navy -> arms race▪ Competition between Britain & Germany for strongest

military Arms race = increased tensions & possibility of

war

Alliances

Definition: Close associations of countries to

achieve a common goal -> “I help you, you help me”▪ Usually military protection (security)

Background: Triple Alliance (a.k.a. the Central Powers) ▪ Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente (a.k.a. the Allies)▪ France, Russia, Britain

Imperialism

Definition: One country extending authority over

another country/ territory ▪ i.e. Empires with colonies

Background: Resulted from industrialization -> need for

raw materials European Empires -> conflict over competing

areas▪ Britain & France vs. Germany -> fear of German

expansion▪ Austria-Hungary vs. Russia -> fighting over Balkans

Nationalism

Definition: Strong feelings of pride based on common

bonds of language/ ethnicity/ religion▪ Whole country or group within a country

Background: Many ethnic groups within Austria-Hungary A-H takes over Bosnia -> Serbs in Bosnia

unhappy -> Black Hand (terrorist group) forms w/ goal of creating a “Greater Serbia”

Immediate Cause of WWI June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand

of Austria-Hungary assassinated by a member of the Black Hand

Countdown to war: A-H and Germany discuss how to deal with crisis ▪ Germany gives A-H “Blank Cheque” -> we will support

you A-H sends Serbia an ultimatum -> hand over

terrorists or go to war Serbia agrees but needs clarification on

ultimatum A-H thinks this is a rejection and invades Serbia

Immediate Cause of WWI

July 28, 1914 – A-H declares war on Serbia

Russia mobilizes ▪ Thinks Germany is trying to occupy the

Balkans Germany declares war on Russia▪ Supporting A-H

France mobilizes ▪ Supporting Russia

Germany declares war on France ▪ Threatened by France supporting Russia