The Causes of the First World War
1. Alliances
Alliances are formed when countries band together against a common threat. France and Germany were in conflict before, so they looked for other countries to be their alliances. England and Germany had argued many times over who controlled different colonies (for example: South Africa and the Boer War). The alliances were dangerous because they increased fear and suspicions among rival nations, and a war between two countries would likely involve many more.
- Britain, France, and Russia vs. Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy
The Triple Entente The Triple Alliance
** when the war did start Italy quit the Triple Alliance and joined with the Entente nations.
2. Nationalism
Nationalism is a feeling of deep loyalty to one’s people and homeland. The early 20th century was when nationalism was causing great problems in that some people would take any action to support their nation, such as a war. Europe nationalism in the nineteenth century was a very powerful force.
The Black Hand was a terrorist group that was composed of Serbs and Bosnians that thought Bosnia should break away from Austria. A terrorist organization supports violent action to gain its goals, and they do not always represent the wishes of all people in their country.
The Austrians were also expressing feelings of nationalism when they opposed the attempts of Bosnia to break away from their empire.
3. Imperialism
During the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, imperialism gained momentum because the nations of Europe became more industrialized.
European countries wanted to gain control of lands away from home and building huge empires, which would be a source of raw goods, and they also gave the home country glory and military strength. Many countries had control of colonies.
Imperialism led to quarrels among the great powers of Europe in all parts of the world, and arguments over colonies and trade threatened peace. Germany wanted to have a colonial empire like Britain and France.
4. Militarism
Militarism is the belief in the power of strong armies and navies to decide issues. The size of the armies and navies determined who would be the most powerful nation in Europe.
Preparing for war was thought to be only way to guarantee peace, and if nation is strong, no enemy would dare to attack it. If was did occur, the militarized nation would be ready. This thinking led to an arms race in Europe, which was where each country produced steel battleships, high powered cannons and explosives.
Germany built a huge navy, causing Britain to become nervous because Britain depended on its giant navy to “rule the waves”, and guarantee the safety of the island. Germany then challenged Britain’s supremacy at sea, and the nations of Europe were becoming more suspicious and alarmed by the other’s military power.
5. Murder at Sarajevo
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the Archduchess Sophia were visiting Austria-Hungary because the Archduke would someday be its Emperor.
At 10:00am, someone threw a bomb at the Archduke’s limousine. The bomb exploded against the hood but he was not hurt; however, he was very angry.
Several minutes later after the car continued on its way to the governor’s palace, Gavrilo Princip (a 19 year old) stepped up by the car and fired two shots. One shot hit the Archduke in the throat. The second shot hit Sophia in the stomach.
Those who attacked the Archduke were members of a Serbian terrorist group, known as the Black Hand.
Alliances are formed when countries band together against a common threat. France and Germany were in conflict before, so they looked for other countries to be their alliances. England and Germany had argued many times over who controlled different colonies (for example: South Africa and the Boer War). The alliances were dangerous because they increased fear and suspicions among rival nations, and a war between two countries would likely involve many more.
- Britain, France, and Russia vs. Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy
The Triple Entente The Triple Alliance
** when the war did start Italy quit the Triple Alliance and joined with the Entente nations.
2. Nationalism
Nationalism is a feeling of deep loyalty to one’s people and homeland. The early 20th century was when nationalism was causing great problems in that some people would take any action to support their nation, such as a war. Europe nationalism in the nineteenth century was a very powerful force.
The Black Hand was a terrorist group that was composed of Serbs and Bosnians that thought Bosnia should break away from Austria. A terrorist organization supports violent action to gain its goals, and they do not always represent the wishes of all people in their country.
The Austrians were also expressing feelings of nationalism when they opposed the attempts of Bosnia to break away from their empire.
3. Imperialism
During the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, imperialism gained momentum because the nations of Europe became more industrialized.
European countries wanted to gain control of lands away from home and building huge empires, which would be a source of raw goods, and they also gave the home country glory and military strength. Many countries had control of colonies.
Imperialism led to quarrels among the great powers of Europe in all parts of the world, and arguments over colonies and trade threatened peace. Germany wanted to have a colonial empire like Britain and France.
4. Militarism
Militarism is the belief in the power of strong armies and navies to decide issues. The size of the armies and navies determined who would be the most powerful nation in Europe.
Preparing for war was thought to be only way to guarantee peace, and if nation is strong, no enemy would dare to attack it. If was did occur, the militarized nation would be ready. This thinking led to an arms race in Europe, which was where each country produced steel battleships, high powered cannons and explosives.
Germany built a huge navy, causing Britain to become nervous because Britain depended on its giant navy to “rule the waves”, and guarantee the safety of the island. Germany then challenged Britain’s supremacy at sea, and the nations of Europe were becoming more suspicious and alarmed by the other’s military power.
5. Murder at Sarajevo
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the Archduchess Sophia were visiting Austria-Hungary because the Archduke would someday be its Emperor.
At 10:00am, someone threw a bomb at the Archduke’s limousine. The bomb exploded against the hood but he was not hurt; however, he was very angry.
Several minutes later after the car continued on its way to the governor’s palace, Gavrilo Princip (a 19 year old) stepped up by the car and fired two shots. One shot hit the Archduke in the throat. The second shot hit Sophia in the stomach.
Those who attacked the Archduke were members of a Serbian terrorist group, known as the Black Hand.