The causes of WW1
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Significant individuals
Militarism 1
- Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships
- The british feared an attack on their empire
Militarism 2
- German was competing with Russia and france to expand their armies
Alliances
- By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances
- The alliances made it more likely that a war would start
- Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread
Imperialism
- All the great powers were competing for colonies/territory
- The british feared germany in Africa
- The Austrians feared Serbia/Russia in the Balkans
Nationalism
- This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence
- In Europe slavs, aided by Serbia and russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule.
Significant individuals 1
- Kaiser Wilhelm 2
- Built up german army and navy
- Aggressive foreign policy
- Determinded to make germany a top nation
- Distrusted by other powers
Significant individuals 2
- Count berehtold
- Austrian prime minister
- During the july crisis decided on a very though ultimatum for Serbia
Significant individuals 3
- Bethmann hollweg
- German prime minister
- Gave very strong support to Austria during the july crisis while Kaiser was crusing on his yacht
The crisis 1
- 28 june 1914
- Heir to Austrian throne Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo
- Capital of bosnia, recently grabbed by Austria
- Hotbed of slav nationalism
The crisis 2
- “black hand” terrorists attack the arch duke
- Bomb attempt fails in morning
- Gavrilo princip shoots archduke and wife in the afternoon
- Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists
The crisis 3
- Arustians supported by germany, send Serbia a tough ultimatum
- Serbia agrees to all but two terms of the ultimatum
- Russia mobilizes
Why did Britain get involved
- Britain had Ententes with france and Russia
The schlieffen plan\
- Germany’s...