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The Rise of Nationalism
Austria-Hungary and Russia oth tried to control the Balkans. Nationalism is the deep devotion to ones country. This caused intense competition between nations each seeking power over the other, Nationalsim began to rise after 1850 due to countries trying to challenge Great Britain for its power, http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm -
Machine Guns
The machine gun was a new deadly weapon put to use in the first world war, and used mainly in the trenches. The Maxim machine gun was invented in 1884 by an American named Hirman S. Maxim. This was the first fully automatic machine gun to ever be invented. The Maxim gun was water cooled and the rounds were feed by a fabric belt. http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/weapons.htm -
Militarism
Milatarism is the policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war. By 1914, every great power except Great Britain had a large powerful armyand by doing so people of that country had a strong patriotic feeling. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/tp/causes-of-world-war-1.htm -
Imperialism
Imperialism is the quest to rule over another country. It often happens when one country wasnts the resources or territories associated with another country. This began when France and Germany nearly fought over who would control Morocco. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/tp/causes-of-world-war-1.htm -
Alliances
Alliances were the final major cause of WWI. The Triple Entente was an Alliance between France, Britain, and Russia. It ensured that neither of these countries would fight against eachother in war. Germany and Austria-Hungary made the Dual Alliance to protect themselves from Russia. The Triple Alliance was later created to keep Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy together. Desputes between the Allied and Central Powers would draw the entire continent into war. http://www.xtimeline.com -
Bosnian Crisis
Austria-Hungary took over the former Turkish province of Bosnia. This invasion angered Serbians who believed the providence was theirs, which lead Serbia to threaten Austria-Hungary with war. Russia who supported Serbia mobilized its troops but war was avoided when Russia backed down. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_crisis -
New Technologies
World War One was the first war to utilize new technologies. It was the first war to use poison gas on the battle field, used by both the Central and Allied Powers. In addition to the machine gun, the armored tank was used for the first time. Airplanes were also used in order to take down other enemies. These new technologies aided both sides and kept the war going. http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/worldwar1/p/ww1101.htm -
The Allied Powers
The Allied Powers consisted of Russia, Britain, France and the United States who joined the Allies in 1917. They were together because they were triggered by Germany's actions by invading Belgium, a neutral country. Russia was part of this alliance because of Austria-Hungary's actions against Serbia. http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/worldwar1/p/ww1101.htm -
Trench Warfare
In the earlier parts of WWI, armies on the western side of the battle fronts dug miles and miles of trenches to protect themsleves. This tactic was know as Trench Warfare. In Trench warfare, men fought in close quarters, usaully hand to hand. Armies traded huge losses for little to no gains. The more technologies advanced, the more obselete trench warfare became. -
Archduke Assassinated
Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serbian Nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. This was the major catalyst of World War I. After he was assassinated there was in increase in threats and orders to mobilze followed which turned the Allied Powers against the Central Powers and the war ensued. -
The Central Powers
The Central powers of World War I were Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria due to previous treaties and alliances that had been formed. Germany was the main fighting force of the Central Powers. http://www.ww1-propaganda-cards.com/central_powers_introduction.html -
Beginning of War
Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia mobilized its army in order to defend Serbia because they were bound by treaty. France bound with Russia by treaty started fighting with Austria-Hungary. This was the beginning of war. -
Invasion of Belgium
Germany declared war on Russia and just days later declared war on France. On August 4th they then invaded Belgium which was a neutral country. Britain was asked by Belgium's King for assistance against the invasion. Later that day Britain accepted the request for deffense and fully commited itself to the defense of Belgium. http://www.pvhs.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/great_war/causes.htm -
War Is The Only Answer.
Japan honored a treaty with Britain and declared war on Germany which lead to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Japan two days later. Additional Information -
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was an offensive attack plan that the Geramns had come up with and used during WWI. Created by General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen, the plan was to attack France at one side of the battle field, then attack Russia at another side of the battle fied, Since Germany was fighting a two-front war, they decided to attack France frist because Russia lacked a railaroad system that would allow them to mobilize there troops.
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Sinking of the Lusitania
The sinking of the Lusitania was the final trigger that made the United States enter WWI. Prior to being attacked the Lusitania had slowed down due to fog and traveled in a predictable line which made it succeptible to attack by German U-boats. A U-boat spotted the ship and sent a torpedo its way of the 1,959 people on board, 1,198 died. Of those who died 128 were United States civilians which outraged Americans. -
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The Zimmerman Note
In Janurary of 1917, a Geman Foreign Minister Arther Zimmerman sent a telegraph to Mexico stating that if Mexico joined the German cause in the war, they would gain U.S territory in return for their services. The note was decoded by the British. The British did not give the note to the U.S. until February 24th, 1917. This is the note that caused the United States to join the Allied forces in fight against the Central powers. -
U.S. Enters War
At the start of the war president Woodrow Wilson declared the country neutral which lasted until 1917. Gemany's submarine warfare threatened commercial trade with European Countries and the U.S. was forced to enter the war. Joining the Allied side to fight against Germany. http://www.firstworldwar.com/timeline/1917.htm -
Toward An Armistice
German troops launched what would become the last German offensive of the war, attacking French forces (joined by 85,000 American troops as well as some of the British Expeditionary Force) in the Second Battle of the Marne. The Allies put back the German offensive, and launched their own counter attack three days later. After suffering massive casualties, the German attack was called off. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/page2 -
Toward An Armistice 2
After Germany was defeated in the Second Battle of the Marne the tides were turning on the Central Powers. This lead to deterioration on all Central Power battle fronts. In October the Ottoman Empire signed a treaty with the Allied Powers due to revolting Arabs within. -
Alvin C. York 2
York was charged by seven German soldiers who realized that he was operating on his own. He killed them all with his pistol. With the aid of a German Major captured earlier York brought in a total of 132 German prisoners, a remarkable feat. -
Alvin C. York
Alvin C. York is one of the most famous soldiers from the United States during WWI. York was a corporal in the attack on Argonne Forest, and was leading only 17 men. During a small attack, York and his men caputered a small number if Germans, York then left 11 of his men to guard the captured Germans. With 6 of his men dead, York set out to capture more Germans. Having shot some 17 gunners via sniping, -
The Argonne Forest
The Argonne Forest was a sight for one of the most historic U.S battles in WWI. Located in north-eastern France, the Argonne Forest is formed from long rocky mountain and wild woodland. The forest is also the site of military action during World War I. Several United States Army soldiers earned the Medal of Honor there, including Colonel Nelson Miles Holderman, Major Charles White Whittlesey, and Sergeant Alvin C. York. -
Armistice
Germany, after depleting its resources, losing its allies, and trouble on the home front, was forced to seek an armistice which ended World War One. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/page2 -
Treaty of Versaille
The Treaty of Versaille was the peace treaty that was signed after WWI ended, The treaty stated who got certain territories, who was financially responsible, what military was allowed, as well as general rules. There were 440 clauses in the treaty, of which 414 were Germany's punishment. Additional information on this treaty can be found by clicking here. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/page2 -
WWI Legacy
During World War I more than 9 million soldiers were killed, 21 million were wounded, and over 10 million civilion casualties were caused. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/page2
