The Road To War

1914

Causes of World War 11. Militarism

• Britain had the largest Navy – to protect its empire

• Germany wanted a navy too, to acquire colonies and then protect them

• Britain saw Germany’s naval growth as a direct threat!!!

2. The Alliances of WWI

Causes of World War 1

3. Nationalism

• Pride in one’s country

• Citizens were prepared to do anything for their nation – even go to war

Causes of World War 1

4. Imperialism (Clash of Empires)

• The Act of empire building

• Britain, France, Spain and Portugal have many colonies = big Empires

• Germany wants an empire too

Causes of World War 1

Also…Emergence of Germany as a

major power

• 1900 Most German speaking people are united under one nation – Germany

• Wish to be recognized as a world power

• Wants colonies and territory

Causes of World War 1

5. The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

• Austrian heir, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are killed by a Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, in Sarajevo, Bosnia – a state within the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Causes of World War 1

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

• Black Hand – Serbian Nationalist Terrorist group. • Resent being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire• Serbia historically closer to Russia not Austria-Hungary• Kill the A-H heir

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

Summer 1914

Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated at Sarajevo

June 28

July 23

July 25

July 28

Austria sends ultimatum (list of demands) to Serbia

Serbia replies, rejecting them

Austria invades Serbia

July 29 Russia mobilizes

Alliances kick in

The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……

Summer 1914 - continued

July 29- Russia mobilizes army along borders with Austria and Germany- Germany declares war on Russia

August 3 - France mobilizes forces to assist Russia- Germany declares war on France

August 4 - 5

Germany invades Belgium as a way to get to France Britain declares war on Germany – protecting Belgium

Canada and the British Empire are at war

The Schlieffen Plan

“Paris for lunch - St. Petersburg for dinner!”

World War 1 Begins

• The Schlieffen Planhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/western_front/index_embed.shtml

• Designed to prevent a war on two fronts

• Take France in 6 weeks, by surprise by going through Belgium

• Once France falls, move troops east to fight Russia

• Schlieffen Plan – Why it Failed!

1. Belgium had a treaty with Britain, France and Germany guaranteeing its neutrality

2. German Generals altered the plan causing German troops to turn south towards Paris earlier than originally planned

Britain objected when Germany invaded Belgium This was their reason to go to war

German troops encountered both French troops moving out of Paris and British from the Channel ports

World War 1 Begins

• German advance was halted on the Marne River – both sides “dug-in” extensive trench systems protected by artillery and machine guns

World War 1 Begins

Canada Prepares for War

“When Britain is at war, Canada is at war. There is no distinction."

Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier - 1910

The British Commonwealth in Arms

This poster depicts New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, and South Africa supporting Britain in arms. These British Dominions would eventually contribute more than 1.4 million service personnel to the British war effort from 1914 to 1918.

Canada’s War

-In 1914, Canada was a self-governing dominion of the British Empire, but it did not control its own foreign affairs.

-The Canadian government would decide the nature and extent of Canada's war effort, but legally the country was at war the instant Britain declared one.

Enthusiastic Reaction to War

-Canadians marched and sang in the streets at the declaration of war in early August 1914.

-In an unprecedented burst of patriotic enthusiasm, Canadians enlisted from across the country.

-Because prewar Canada had a very small permanent armed force, citizen-soldiers would form most of the new Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Valcartier, Quebec

-Valcartier, Quebec was the primary training base for the First Canadian Contingent in 1914.

Daily Ration for Soldiers Training at Valcartier:

Pepper and salt11/4 pounds bread1 ounce tea13 ounce coffee1 ounce cheese2 ounces jam2 ounces beans2 ounces butter2 ounces sugar6 ounces fresh vegetables1 pound fresh meat1 pound potatoes1 ounce oil1 cubic foot woodFruit is extra

Infantryman, Canadian Expeditionary Force, France 1915-1916.