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Militarism
Militarism was one of the main causes of WW1. The military spending increased in the years prior to war. The armies of both France and Germany had doubled between 1870-1914 which led to distrust and building of more lethal weapons. This rivalry then led to a naval arms race between Britain and Germany which worsened the relationship between both countries. Germany then made matters worse by launching a battleship stocked with heavy weaponery. This Happened between 1870-1914. -
Nationalism
During the 1800's nationalism took hold of people who shared a common language, history, or culture. Such people began to view themselves as members a national group or nation. Nationalism led to the creation of two new powers - Italy and Germany. Nationalism encouraged public support for military build-ups and for a country's use of force to achieve its goals. That led to the use of more lethal and powerful weaponary and the advances in technology helped make the military forces more stronger. -
Imperalism
Imperalism was also one of the causes of WW1. Imperalism is when a country takes over new lands and countries and makes them subject to their rule. By 1900 the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa. With the rise of industrialism, countries needed new markets. The amount of lands 'owned' by Britain and France only added to the rivalry with Germany who had entered the rush to gain colonies. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke was visiting Belgrade from his home country of Austria. He was assassinated by a Serb. The Austrian/Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. This caused a chain-reaction as allies and enamies took sides and began WW1. -
Germany's BLank Check to Austria-Hungary
The blank check assurance marked a decisive moment in the chain of events leading up to the outbreak of the First World War in Europe during the summer of 1914. -
Alliances
Alliances are possibly the best known cause of WW1. The two main alliances before 1914 were the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882 and The "Triple Entente" between Russia, Britain and France in 1907. When Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. This caused countries allied with Austria-Hungary and countries allied with Serbia to declare war on each other, starting conflicts that led to World War I. -
Sinking of Lusitania
The Lusitania was a passenger ship that was doing the Atlantic run between England and New York City. In 1915 the Germans had a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, making any British ship a target. Over 1100 people died the day Lusitania sank. The sinking angered the Americans, raising support for allies and great dislike for Germany and her allies. The sinking isnt considered a main cause, but it definately is one of the causes. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman note was a telegram to Mexico from Germany asking to enter the war against the US. The US was found out and entered war against Germany. -
Germany's resumption of Submarine Warfare
The US enters war. Germany’s resumption of submarine attacks on passenger and merchant ships in 1917 became the primary motivation behind Wilson’s decision to lead the United States into World War I. -
US Entry into WW1. Impact and Effects.
World War I is a turning point in world history. It reduced the global influence of Europe. It enabled new nations to emerge. The war encouraged nations in other areas of the world, especially the United States, to challenge Europe's international leadership. There were more than 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. -
The Great Depression/Hitlers Rise to Power
The great Depression caused mass unemployment. America called in their loans to Germany. This caused the collapse of the German industry which led to Hitlers rise to power, leading straight up to WW2.
