Transcript Long Term Causes of WWI

BELLWORK 10/28
1. List five characteristics of militarism.
2. Why was it necessary for European countries to
have large armies? How/when/why does a large
army become a disadvantage or liability?
3. How did the dreadnought lead to a naval arms race?
4. How did industrialization impact militarism?
5. THINKER: Why was militarism a long-term cause of
WWI?
WORLD WAR I
CAUSES, PRACTICES & EFFECTS
OF WAR
World War I
The War was also known as THE GREAT WAR and famously “THE
WAR TO END ALL WARS”
It was a global military conflict that took place mainly in Europe
between 1914 & 1918.
It was a total war which left great devastation, millions dead and
shaped the modern world.
World War I created a decisive break with the old world order that
had emerged after the Napoleonic Wars. The results of World
War I would be important factors in the development of World
War II; 21 years later.
Long-Term Causes
1870-1905
What is meant by “long-term?”
Background causes/problems that had been building for
decades prior (~1870-1905)
“The ‘long-term’ causes did not make the First World War
inevitable. Instead, they made war more likely. These
developments fueled the suspicion, fear and tension
between the European powers. They increased the
probability of a big war and limited the likelihood of a short
and regional war.”
These causes were interconnected!
Long-term Causes: Why did the war break out?
Napoleon Bonaparte
and the Rise of
Nationalist Sentiment
Colonial Expansion
Anglo-German Naval
Race
Militarism
Tension in the
Balkans
Ascension of Kaiser
Wilhelm II
Web of alliances
MAIN CAUSES OF WWI
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
***These
background
causes were
building for 40-50
years before the
actual outbreak of
WWI.
Long-Term Cause #1: Militarism
Militarism: building up armed forces in preparation for war
Characteristics:
Army and military forces are given a high profile by the government
Increased military spending and production
Implementation of the draft
Led to an arms race
The armies of both France and
Germany had more than doubled
between 1870 and 1914 and there
was fierce competition between
Britain and Germany for naval
superiority.
The British had introduced the
'Dreadnought', an effective
battleship, in 1906. The Germans
soon followed suit introducing
their own battleships.
MILITARISM
European Military Spending
Year
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1914
Millions of $
94
130
154
268
289
398
Britain
maintained a
large lead over
Germany in all
categories of
warships.
Both nations
believed that
command of the
seas was vital to
a great nation.
The naval strength of the powers in 1914
Country
Soldiers
Large
Naval Vessels
Tonnage
Size/Carrying Capacity
Russia
54,000
4
328,000
France
68,000
10
731,000
Britain
209,000
29
2,205,000
331,000
43
3,264,000
Germany
79,000
17
1,019,000
Austria-Hungary
16,000
3
95,000
20
TOTAL
TOTAL
249,000
1,268,000
THINKER Discussion
Why was militarism a long-term cause
of WWI?
HOMEWORK: Due Monday!
Read about
alliances!
Pages 112-113
Complete “alliance
system” portion of
packet.
BELLWORK 10/31
1. Why would a country agree to an alliance?
2. Explain Germany’s (Bismarck’s) strategy for
obtaining alliances. How was this different than
Britain’s strategy?
3. Describe the growing system of alliances. Who
aligned with who? Who were the biggest rivals?
4. THINKER: Why were alliances a long-term cause of
WWI?
Cause #2: Alliances
An alliance is an agreement
to help defend, if needed.
Several alliances were
signed between 18791914
Key to diplomacy – protect
yourself & isolate your
enemies!
These alliances meant that
some countries had no
option but to declare war if
one of their allies declared
war first
Describe the growing system of alliances.
Who did Germany want to align with? Who
did Austria-Hungary target?
Formation of the WWI Alliances
In 1879 Germany and Austria- Hungary agreed to form a Dual Alliance.
This became the Triple Alliance when in 1882 it was expanded to include
Italy. The three countries agreed to support each other if attacked by
either France or Russia. It was renewed at five-yearly intervals.
France felt threatened by this alliance. Britain was also concerned by the
growth in the Germany Navy and in 1904 the two countries signed the
Entente Cordiale (friendly understanding). The objective of the alliance
was to encourage co-operation against the perceived threat of Germany.
Three years later, Russia who also feared the growth in the German Army,
joined Britain & France to form the Triple Entente.
The Russian government was also concerned about the possibility of
Austria Hungary increasing the size of its empire. It therefore made
promises to help Serbia if it was attacked by members of the Triple
Alliance
The formation of the Triple Entente in 1907 by Britain, France and Russia
reinforced the need for the Triple Alliance.
THINKER Discussion
Why were alliances a long-term cause
of WWI?
HOMEWORK: Due Thursday!
Finish reading about the Long-Term
causes of WWI with imperialism and
nationalism.
Read pgs. 114-115 and complete the
Imperialism and Nationalism sections of
your packet.
BELLWORK: November 3rd
1. Why did European powers want to colonize Africa and the
Far East? How did this lead to problems between the
powers?
2. Describe the conflict over Morocco.
3. How did Austria-Hungary view the Balkans? How was this
different than the Russian view?
4. How did nationalism increase the probability of war?
5. THINKER: In your opinion, which one of the long term
causes had the biggest impact on starting WWI? Explain!
Cause #3 - Imperialism
Why did European powers want to
colonize Africa and the Far East? How
did this lead to problems between
the powers?
Due to industrialization, countries
needed new markets & resources 
Imperialism!
Imperialism: establishing political,
economic and military dominance
over weaker nations
By 1900, all large European powers
had colonies in Africa or Asia (not
Austria-Hungary)
How did Germany’s new leader,
Kaiser Wilhelm II respond to this?
Moroccan Crisis: 1905
***Why did Germany interfere in Morocco
in both 1905 and 1911?
In 1904 Morocco had been given to
France by Britain, but the Moroccans
wanted their independence. In 1905,
Germany announced her support for
Moroccan independence. War was
narrowly avoided by a conference
which allowed France to retain
possession of Morocco. However, in
1911, the Germans were again
protesting against French possession
of Morocco. Britain supported France
and Germany was persuaded to back
down for part of French Congo.
How did this impact European alliances?
Why was imperialism a cause of WWI?
Imperialist rivalries formed as countries competed and
fought over new territories and resources
The great powers had come into conflict over spheres of
influence in Asia (Open Door Policy – China & Japan) and
over territories in Africa (Moroccan Crisis)
Germany embarked late, but aggressively, on colonial
expansion under Emperor Wilhelm II.
His policy of Weltpolitik was aggressive and a threat to
other European powers.
Germany felt isolated and victimized!
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Last German Emperor (Kaiser), ruled from
June 1888 - November 1918.
When Kaiser Wilhelm II came to power, he
quickly retired Chancellor Bismarck, and
upset the balance of power by refusing to
renew Germany's friendship with Russia.
Launched Germany on a "New Course" in
foreign affairs that culminated in his support
for Austria-Hungary in 1914.
Germany soon found itself as a minority. Its
only European ally was the weakest of the
European powers, Austria-Hungary.
Cause #4: Nationalism
The French Revolution resulted in chaos and the ascent of Napoleon to
power. Napoleon's armies marched all over Europe, bringing not only
French control, but French ideas.
The rise of ideas of nationalism, devotion and pride for one's common
people and ethnicity, increased in popularity during the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon encouraged the spread of nationalism, which he saw in his
troops, to better the French war machine.
The French people began to feel pride in their culture and ethnicity. The
world watched nationalism for the first time and saw the power the French
gained from it.
Following the Napoleonic Wars, all of Europe was sharing these ideas
There were two types of nationalism that emerged during the era:
Desire for dominance
Oppressed groups’ desire for independence
Nationalism
How did
AustriaHungary
view the
Balkans?
How was
this
different
than the
Russian
view?
Conflict in the Balkans
Balkan states drove Turkey out of the area
The states then fought each other over which area should
belong to which state… all wanted sea access!
Austria-Hungary then intervened and forced Serbia to give
up some of its acquisitions.
Russia intervened to protect Serbia, but backed down after
threats from Austria-Hungary.
Tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary was high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxbI_o7e7Y
How did
nationalism
increase the
probability
of war?
THINKER Discussion
In your opinion, which of the four
background causes (militarism,
alliances, imperialism, nationalism) was
the biggest cause of WWI? Explain!
Review Skits: Long-Term Causes
In order to review the long-term causes, the class will be
broken into four groups. Each group will be assigned a
cause.
Your task is to create a skit that represents your cause, the
problems, and how it contributed to WWI.
Your characters must be countries – how will you represent
this?
This will be good review! Have fun, but take this seriously –
what are the main points? How can you simplify the
information in a way that’s easy to understand?