Causes of WWI

Causes of WWI

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Nationalism
• Imperialism
• Assassination

Militarism

• Occurs when military values and goals take over civilian society.
• At the end of the 19th century societies had become more militaristic
• Kings wore military uniforms
• Military planning played a big role in WWI
• Generals became influential in government.

Alliances

• A union formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations.
• By 1914, Europe was divided into two large alliances.
• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy
• Triple Entente: France & Great Britain
• The Triple Alliance was driven by anti-French and Anti-Russian sentiment.

Nationalism

• Belief that each ethnic group should have its own nation.
• Nationalism encouraged rivalries between France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Russia.
• In 1870 Britain was the most industrially advanced country in Europe.
• Spread of nationalism led to the creation of new Independent nations in the Balkans.
• Nationalists believe that their own nation is superior to others.

Imperialism

• Political and economic control of one state or people over another.
• Created competition between Europe for African & Asian colonies.
• British imperialism was focused on maintaining and expanding trade
• Britain’s imperial power was reinforced by her powerful navy
• French imperial holdings included Indochina Pacific islands and colonies in west and north-west Africa

Assassination

• Murder of a prominent person, often but not always a political leader or ruler, usually for political reasons or payment.
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria triggered the war.
• Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia
• Russia entered the conflict to protect Serbia
• Italy refused to join the Central Powers since Austria had attacked first.