The Spark of 1914Tensions between the two European alliances erupt into a European-wide conflict.

Main Causes of WWI1) Militarism

Led to military buildups and a naval arms race

2) Alliances------------------------------

Committed nations to support one another if attacked Created a situation in which a small war would escalate

3) Imperialism Encouraged competitiveness

4) Nationalism Encouraged competitiveness and antagonism

among nations Made various ethnic groups want to establish

independent nations of their own

Trouble in the Balkans Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Throne, visited Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia Herzegovinian.

Assassins from the nationalist group known as the Black Hand, or Union of Death fatally wounded Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Gavriol Princip (19 years old)

German Support Austro-Hungarian leaders held the Serbians responsible.

William II, the German emperor, threw his support behind Austria-Hungary against Serbia.

Declaration of War Austria-Hungary gave Serbia

an ultimatum, a set of final conditions that must be accepted to avoid sever consequences.

Serbia was to allow AH officials into Serbia to suppress all subversive movements

AH was to lead the investigation into the archduke’s murder

July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

A European WarRussia’s Czar, Nicholas II,

who wished to save face with the Slavs in the Balkan ordered mobilization of his armed forces against both AH and Germany.

Germany made an ultimatum to Russia to stop its mobilization of troops and asked France if they would remain neutral or support Russia. Germany Declared War on

Russia and France

A European War (Continued)Germany entered Belgium who asked Great Britain for help.

Great Britain demanded that German forces leave Belgium and Germany refused.

Great Britain declared war on Germany

Who’s fighting who?

Confidence and Rejoicing Patriotic enthusiasm caused crowds to gather in the streets, squares, and railway stations of European cities to cheer on their respective military forces.

“Right against might” A local dispute between AH and Serbia eventually became a global conflict that had no clear, limited objective