Causes of WW1

Question 1

Four “main” causes of WWI

Answer 1

Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism

Question 2

Define aspects of militarism that caused WW1

Answer 2

Europe entered the 20th century in an arms race
By 1914, Germany had the biggest arms build up
Britain responded by working to increase the size of its navy
The situation was similar on both Russia and France

Question 3

Describe alliances pre WW1

Answer 3

By 1914 all of the major powers were linked by a system of alliances
If one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them
This system made it more likely that a war would start and that it would spread throughout the continent

Question 4

Imperialism pre WW1

Answer 4

In the years before WWI, all of the powers were in competition for colonies & territory – particularly in Africa and Asia

Question 5

Nationalism pre WW1

Answer 5

This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence
In Europe, a rivalry developed among Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia and France
At the same time, groups living within those countries were fighting for their independence
The Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule

Question 6

When did WW1 start

Answer 6

june 1914

Question 7

Describe the spark that started WW1

Answer 7

June 1914
The heir to Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visited Sarajevo, Bosnia
Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, shot the Archduke and wife as a protest against Austrian rule in the region

Question 8

How did all the nations get involved

Answer 8

In July 1914, Austria Hungary declared war against Serbia.

Alliance system pulled in one nation after another into the conflict