WWI Chapter 26.1

Objective 1: to identify the short and long term causes of the Great WarObjective 2: To explain the Schlieffen Plan

Long-Term Causes

NATIONALISM:National interests placed ahead of global cooperation. Competition between countries became fierce and out of control.

MILITARISM:The development of armed forces as a tool of foreign policy and as a tool of diplomacy (gov’t.)

IMPERIALISM:Industrialization demands more resources and new markets, leading to colonization. Competition leads to rivalries/alliances.

More Long-Term Causes

• Alsace and Lorraine region • Pan-Slavism – what did this mean?• Balkans “the powder keg of Europe” – internal conflict following success against

Turkey

Slavic Nations

Alliances Lead to War

• Designed to keep peace in Europe.• Bismarck started process in 1882• Allied powers agreement also known as entente

ALLIANCES:Central Powers = Germany, Austria-Hungary, ItalyAllied Powers = France, England, Russia

The First Shot…

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand• June 28, 1914 Franz Ferdinand, heir to

Austrian throne, assassinated by Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princep

• Austria issued an ultimatum – punish Serbia• Germany issues the “blank check”

Chain Reaction

• War declared on Serbia – July 28, 1914• Russia begins to mobilize (prepare military

forces for war• Germany declares war on Russia – August 1• Germany declares war on France • Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares

war on August 4

War Strategy

The German Plan:•A QUICK strike west through Belgium to capture Paris. Then swing forces east to knock out Russia. (Schlieffen Plan)•Germany DOES NOT want to fight a war on TWO FRONTS.

The Reality:•Belgium does not fall easily, and British and French lines hold at the Marne. Two fronts form.•No quick victory. •Fighting stabilizes around “Western Front” •Trench warfare instead. Opponents deadlocked. Millions die for mere miles of land.

Reasons for War Country Allied with: Reasons for Entering War

Austria-Hungary Germany Punish Serbia

Germany Austria-Hungary Stand by Austria-Hungary

Serbia Russia Attacked by Austria-Hungary

Russia Serbia, France, Britain Defend Slavic peoples

France Russia and Britain Avoid facing Germany alone

Belgium Neutral Invaded by Germany

Britain France and Russia Invasion of Belgium

• WWI Animated Map