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Dual Alliance Formed
Otto von Bismark allied Germany and Austria to form the Dual Alliance. Bismark's goal was to allign many European powers causing France to be less of a threat to the Germans.
This was the begining of the web of alliances created before World War I. The Dual Alliance would later grown to be the Triple Alliance.
It also related to nationalism, pride in one's country. Bismark had so much pride in his country that he joined with another one so they would not be defeated. This image is of Bismark. -
Creation of Triple Alliance
When Italy joined the Dual Alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary, they created the Triple Alliance. The Triple Alliance, like the Dual Alliance, had the purpose of eliminating France as a threat.
This was part of the complex alliance system, one of main cause of World War I. The Triple Alliance was an addition to the Dual Alliance, but it added Italy into the system of alliances.
As said earlier, it showed nationalism, making people want to defend their country. Map shows the Triple Alliance -
Kaiser Wilhelm II's Power
Kaiser Wilhelm II came into power of Germany in 1888. In 1890, he forced Bismark to resign beause Wilhelm did not want to share power. Also in 1890, Wilhelm dissolved Germany's treaty with Russia.
It is not good to break your word with another country. Shifting alliances makes countries angry. Those countries may want revenge in the form of war. Shifting alliances was a main cause of World War I. This image shows Kaiser Wilhelm II. -
Alliance of France and Russia
In 1892 and again in 1894, Russia aligned with France. Since Germany abandoned them, Russia aligned with Germany's enemy France. Germany did not benefit because now they could be attacked from the east and the west.
This is a perfect example of the alliance systems, groups of confederates, causing World War I. If an ally betrays you, befriend their enemy. The web just becomes more tangled though. Each country has many allies. Pictured to the left is a map with France and Russia. -
Conflicts over Morocco
In 1905 and again in 1911, Germany and France nearly fought over who would control Morocco, in Northern Africa. Most of Europe supported France, so Germany backed down.
This shows how alliances are important to the start of World War I. Since France had more allies, Germany backed down.
This also relates to Imperialism, a time of findng and colonizing land. A war was almost started because both France and Germany both wanted to imperialize Morocco. The image is a map highlighting Morocco. -
Creation of Triple Entente
In 1907, Great Britain became worried that Germany was improving its navy. It formed and alliance with France and Russia. This created the Triple Entente.
The Triple Entente became the second big alliance in Europe. The alliance systems created in the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance were part of the cause of World War I. They made loyalties a lot more complicated. Pictured is a digram of the different alliances. -
Austria Annexing Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 1908, Austria annexed, or took over, Bosnia and Herzegovina, both mostly Slavic. Serbia, also largely Slavic, was outraged and tensions between Austria and Serbia grew.
When Austria took Bosnia and Herzegovina, they showed great nationalism, a cause of World War I. In the process, Austria angered Serbia, thus sparking the start of World War I. Pictured is a map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. -
Rise of Militarism
By 1914, all of the major powers in Europe had great armies. Britain, being surrounded by water, did not need an army. These armies were able to convene and mobolize very quickly. Always having an honored prepared military is militarism.
Militarism was a main cause of World War I. With so many armies ready to attack at any given time, it was only a matter of time until someone started the fight. The political cartoon shows the causes and effects of militarism. -
The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
On June 28th 1914, while visiting Sarajevo, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated. The Austrians were shot by a Serbian. This caused Austria to punnish Serbia.
The assassination was a form of nationalism because the assassin was trying to remove Austrians from rule over Serbia.
This assassination quickly lead to the beginning of World War I. The image is of Archduke Ferdinand. -
Austria Declares War
Serbia could not agree to all of Austria's demands and they were fed up so Austria declared war. Russia an ally of Serbia prepared to fight back against Austria. To some this was Russia's declaration of war. To other it is Russia mobolizing on the German border.
This was the first declaration in the chain reaction that soon involved most of Europe in World War I. Nationalism Imperialism militarism and alliance systems all caused the beginning of World War I. The cartoon shows the domino effect. -
Germany Declares War
After learning that Russia was mobolizing on their border, Germany declared war on Russia. Two days later, on August 3rd, they declared war on France.
This was caused by their militarism and their alliance systems. Germany did not wait for France to declare war because France is in the Triple Entente. Germany could declare war easily because they had a military ready to mobolize. It was not difficult for Germany to join World War I. This Newspaper headlined that Germany formally declares war. -
Britain Declares War
Britain declred war on Germany, since Germany had declared war Britain's other two allies, France and Russia.
Britain declared war because of its alliance system. It had to help the rest of the Triple Entente. Britain was one of the last to join World War I. As shown in the image, news of World War I spread like wildfire to the papers all over the world.
