World War I Causes and Context

Question 1

MAIN CAUSES OF WWI

Answer 1

Underlying Causes:

1. Imperialism
2. Nationalism
3. Entangled Alliances

Immediate Cause:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

Question 2

IMPERIALISM

Answer 2

many rivalries and competition between states culminated in exploding events (Fashoda Crisis, Boer War, Russo-Japanese War)

• Moroccan Crisis: Germany’s attempt at challenging France’s growing control over Morocco, aggravating GB and France’s relationship in the process

Question 3

NATIONALISM

Answer 3

Nationalism spread across Eastern Europe and Asia&raquo_space; violence and explosive situations; the key area was the Balkan Powderkey (Serbian nationalists agitating against the Austrians for more sovereignty and territory)&raquo_space; 3 Balkan Wars, last one set off WWI

Question 4

ENTANGLING ALLIANCES

Answer 4

any number of crises could pull multiple nations into conflict (if one nation gets attacked, the others must support them)

there were two sides in WWI: Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente

Triple Alliance (1882) was made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

Triple Entente (1907) was made up of GB (with Japan due to treaties), France, and Russia

Question 5

MILITARISM

Answer 5

the assembling of massive militaries and armies to maintain defensive edges over other competition (Germany initiated escalation by building their navy; GB kept its navy as large as the “next to rival combinations combined)

Question 6

ASSASSINATION

Answer 6

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip (member of the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist group)

Question 7

STEPS LEADING TO WAR

Answer 7

1. Austria declares war on Serbia (July Crisis) following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the expiration of an investigation ultimatum
2. Russia’s mobilization threatened Germany, who declared war on both Russia and France; Germany believed that Russia would take at least 6 months to move all of their troops to the Western border, but it only took 3
3. Germany’s invasion of Belgium (neutral state) to try and take Paris from France (did not want to fight at the border – Maginot Line) forced GB to declare war on Germany

Question 8

ALLIES AND ADVANTAGES

Answer 8

Allied Powers: consisted of the Triple Entente and Italy + their allies = 32 countries; advantages include: more soldiers (more states involved), greater industrial potential, controlled the seas and ability to blockade (GB Navy)

Central Powers: consisted of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire; advantages included ease of communication and rapid troop movement (all of the states were connected as opposed to France and Russia), Germany had the best army at the time, every allying state was controlled by Germany (Unity of Command), also controlled under the seas (U-boats, which are basically submarines)

• Italy left the Triple Alliance because it was all about being defensive, left after Austria declared war on Serbia