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Causes of World War I
- Era of High Imperialism (1880s-1914)
- Imperialist Urges/Ethnic Intolerance
- Nationalism
- Resurgent Militarism
- Alliance System
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Era of High Imperialism (1880s-1914)
The major powers of the world were in competition to colonizes the world. Western Europe’s final spurt to complete domination of
the world. Japan was competing in Asia and Pacific. The United States was competing in Americas, Pacific and Asia. Austro-Hungary had no colonies at all. Germany and Italy started late and they weren't too happy about it. Russia on the other hand was expanding eastward in Siberia and southward into
Muslim central Asia. -
Imperialist Urges/Ethnic Intolerance
German, Austria and Russian were in control of there ethnic minorities. Japan had control of most of Asia with their nationalism. Great Britain, United States and France were influencing their colonies how they wanted. -
Nationalism
Of course every nation has pride but this was a huge problem with all the super powers of the world. Germany who was not as powerful as its neighbors felt like they could not expand so this could lead to a fight. -
Resurgent Militarism
Countries all of a sudden had the idea of war and military service as a priority in order to build an empire. A naval war began between Germany and Britain. With the need of more military personnel the middle class began using this for upward mobility. -
Alliance System
Even though a war had not been called countries began to for alliances and pick sides. One being the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Another being the Triple Entente comprised of Great Britain, France, and Russia. -
The Spark of the war
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was killed by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. As small as this action might seem it is what sparked every nation into war because of all the treaties and alliances formed. -
Countries begin to fall
July 23, 1914 Austro-Hungarians issues ultimatum to Serbia after the assassination and after waiting for 5 days Serbia agrees on all the points except one so Austro-Hungary saw this a refusal so they declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. 2 days later (July 30, 1914) Russia begins to mobilizes in order to help Serbia because of the Pan-Slavic treaties. A day later (July 31, 1914) Germany tells Russia to stop what they are doing but Russia refused. -
Countries begin to fall continued
On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia because of the alliance with Austria-Hungary. Germany realized that France will enter the war on Russia side they begin to prepare for war with France. Germany and then sign secret treaty. Italy declares neutrality. France begins to mobilizes against Germany because of the treaty. While this is happening on August 2, 1914 Germany invades Luxembourg. On August 3, 1914 Germany officially declare war on France. -
Countries begin to fall continued 2
On August 3, 1914 Germany invaded Belgium even though they were neutral but with the purpose to execute the Schlieffen Plan to outflank the French. On August 4, 1914 Britain declares war on Germany because of a treaty with Belgium. This declaration brings in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa to help Britain. On August 5 Montenegro declares war on Austro-Hungary and the Ottomans close Dardanelles. On August 6 Austro-Hungary declares war on Russia and Serbia declares war on Germany. -
Countries begin to fall continued 3
On August 22, 1914 Austro-Hungary declares war on Belgium. The following day Japan declares war on Germany because of the treaty with Britain. On August 25 Japan declares war on Austro-Hungary. A few months later on November 1, 1914 Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire. 2 days later Montenegro declares war on the Ottoman Empire. And on November 5, 1914 France and Britain declare war on the Ottoman Empire. But still no United States involvement. -
The war has begun
The war has finally begun after all the countries have picked sides. This war is a very ugly war but it is also a revolutionary war because of the new fighting techniques and technology. Trench warfare was the innovation used although it proved to be very costly. Months could go by and no more than a few yards could be gained or lost. But this also caused deaths to rise. From combat, wounds from the combat or from diseases in the trenches. -
New weapons and technoloy
With the rise of war a company known as Krupp used this to their advantage. They massed produced machine guns and protection against machine guns. Hand grenades and flame throwers were also used. Poisonous gases such as mustard gas and chlorine were used. Air warfare also began to rise with airplanes with machine gun as well as tanks, armored cars and submarines were used. -
Christmas 1914
Most countries believed that the war would be over by the time Christmas came around but it was not. Something truly special happened that day. The two sides enjoyed a cease-fire and troops
fraternize, exchange gifts, sang, and play soccer. But after this happened the generals who weren't there were not happy about this. -
United States?
Where was the United States? Up to this point The United States had stayed neutral. They had their own conflicts going on in Mexico and they saw no reason to get involved in European conflicts. Although they did not want to pick sides they were however selling ammunition to other countries. -
Germany's fatal mistake
A big part of this war was submarine warfare and this was the undoing of Germany. After Germany attacked the Lusitania and killed Americans on board Wilson protested. In 1916 an ultimatum was proposed and Germany did back down for a while. -
United States is all in
In early 1917 in order to break the stalemate Germany declared unrestricted submarine warfare against Britain and all ships sailing to Britain. Wilson orders merchant ships to arm themselves and ordered to attack any German submarines. In March 1917 5 American ships were sunk by a German U-boat. On April 2, 1917 United States senate declares war on Germany. -
United States begins to get ready
Germany knew that the United States would declare war but they thought it would take at least 9-12 months for the United States to be ready but it only took 2 months. In April Germany was so close to victory and they believed it would be only 6 months before it was over and they never expected to fight the United States. In 2 months Wilson calls into action 2 million men into service and in June they were fighting in the trenches. -
The war to end all wars was over
With the help of the United States the troops begin to push Germans out of France slowly. Now after a year in September of 1918 the Germans sue for peace. Cease fire fell at the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" the war to end all wars was over.
