I. What caused this War- Historians say (4) four things did.
A. Nationalism- People of the same nationality try to unite together. Had
explosive possibilities because one government was trying to rule many
nationalities.
B. Imperialism- Brought many Imperialistic Nations to the brink of war
because of conflicting claims to the same territory. Compromise settled
it but always left one dissatisfied.
C. Militarism- Glorification of armed strength. Nations leaders believed the
the use of force could solve problems among Nations. Militarily strong
Nations usually got what they wanted. Mobilization- If one Nation
organizes troops, so would others.
D. The System of Alliances- Otto Von Bismarck (Prussia's Chancellor),
feared France would seek revenge for its 1871 defeat in the Franco-
Prussian war. Bismark wanted to isolate France from becoming Allies
with Russia. Bismark did not want to have to fight a two front war.
1. Triple Alliance is formed-
In 1882, Bismark,(now Germany, formerly Prussia), along with Italy
and Austria-Hungary form an Alliance.
a. Bismark also had a secret agreement with Russia.
b. France is isolated!
2. Triple Entente is formed- Russia's secret agreement with Germany
is abandoned because William II of Germany dismisses Bismark.
Russia is SHOOK by an economic crisis and looks for help. Who
do you think will QUICKLY come to their aid? FRANCE and
Russia are now Allies!
3. Germany begins to build....up it's NAVY to compete with Great
Britain. Because of this, Great Britain, France and Russia reach a
friendly agreement, or ENTENTE.
4. Dangers of the Alliance system- Divided Europe into (2) two
armed camps. If any two have a conflict, ALL become involved.
II. THE BALKAN POWDER KEG
A. Nationalists in SERBIA hoped to make their country a large slavic-
state. They wanted to make Bosnia-Herzegovina their own. They
were still under Austro-Hungarian rule.
B. The Congress of Berlin....in 1878 decided to make the two provinces
protectorates under Austro-Hungarian rule. This really makes the
Serbian Nationalists mmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddd.
C. WHO SUPPORTS WHO?
1. Russia supports Serbia's Nationalistic goals.
2. Great Britain opposes Serbian Nationalistic goals. Guess WHAT?
D. William II of Germany plans to seek more allies because Italy is weak.
Germany wanted to include the Ottoman Empire into the Alliance.
1. William II begins negotiating with the Ottoman Empire to
strengthen Germany in the Balkans.
2. This results in the strengthening of ties between Great Britain and
Russia. NEITHER wanted Germany to expand into the Balkans.
THE PLAYERS ON A MAP
At a glance
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