The document summarizes the origins and outbreak of World War I. It describes the various factors that contributed to rising tensions in Europe in the early 20th century, including nationalism, militarism, and a complex system of alliances. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark that led to the outbreak of war. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, drawing other European powers into the conflict through their various alliances until the war engulfed much of Europe.

1. Reflection
• "The war that will end all war." –H.G. Wells

2. World War I
The Beginnings

3. WWI
• Known as “The Great War” or the “war to end
all wars”

4. Seeds of Conflict
• Economics
– Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia
and Italy were trying to expand their empires
• Nationalism
– France wanted revenge on the Germans for the
loss of land in the Franco-Prussian war (1870-
1871)
– Austria- Hungary worried about Serbian activities
in the Balkans

5. Seeds of Conflict
• Militarism and Alliances
– Militarism: policy of
aggressive military
preparedness
– Alliance system:
international combination
of states
• Otto von Bismarck created
League of Three Emperors
(1872)
– Germany, Austria-
Hungary and Russia
• Italy joined the Austro-
German alliance which
became the Triple alliance

6. Seeds of Conflict
• 1890’s Russia and France
signed a secret military
alliance in which they
agreed to come to each
others aid if attacked by
Austria Hungary or
Germany or both
• 1904 Entente Cordiale
between France and Britain
– Russia and Britain solved
issues and became the
Triple Entente
– Triple Entente vs. Triple
Alliance

7. Outbreak of the War
• June 28, 1914 Archduke
Franz Ferdinand (Heir to the
throne of Austria) went to
Sarajevo, Bosnia
– Planned to give the Slavs
more equal role in the
Austria-Hungarian
government when he became
emperor
– Bomb got thrown at his
motorcade, it missed, but
injured a half a dozen people
behind them
– Eventually shot by 19 year old
Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian
student

8. Outbreak of the War
• Gavrilo Princip was one of
7 Union of Death or Black
Hand assassins lined up
on the parade route
• The Austrian- Hungarian
leaders held the Serbians
responsible for the
assassination
– Encouraged by the
Germans to think like this
• “blank check”

9. Ultimatum
• July 23, 1914 Serbia couldn’t (or wouldn’t)
accept the terms of interrogation about the
assassination
• July 28,1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on
Serbia
– Many European powers tried to stay out of the
war
• Russia acted first, with Germany saying to stay out, also
told France not to interfere

10. War
• August 1st, 1914 Germany declared war on
Russia and two days later on France
• Britain managed to stay neutral for a little
while during negotiations
– Didn’t make is apparent if they were going to
support Russia and France
• Germany marched into Luxemburg and
demanded passage across Belgium

11. Britain’s Entry
• Belgium was a neutral country
• Belgium refused and asked Britain for help (August
3rd Germany invaded Belgium)
• August 4th British had no choice but to declare war
on Germany

12. Classwork
• Using the map provided find and label (and
color):
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Britain
France
Russia
Italy
Belgium
Luxemburg