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The Causes of World War I

  • Dual alliance

    Dual alliance

    Germany makes an alliance with Austria-Hungary
  • Rising Imperialsim

    Rising Imperialsim

    The scramble for Africa and the colonization of so much territory rose tensions in Europe and pushed some countries to the brink of war
  • Russia and Germany

    Russia and Germany

    In order to take away a possible ally to the French, Bismarck made a treaty with Russia.
  • Triple Alliance

    Triple Alliance

    The Dual alliance becomes a triple, and Italy joins Germany and Austria-Hungary.
  • Kaiser Wilhelm II

    Kaiser Wilhelm II

    Kaiser Wilhelm comes into power by forcing Bismarck to resign. Once Wilhelm is in office, he falls in love with the German army, and largely expands it and the navy.
  • Russia-Germany Treaty Fails

    Russia-Germany Treaty Fails

    The treaty between Russia and Germany is terminated by the command of Kaiser Wilhelm.
  • Russia and France Team Up

    Russia and France Team Up

    In response to the termination of Russia and Germany's treaty, Russia and France form a defensive military alliance.
  • Powder Keg

    Powder Keg

    Ottoman Empire is in rapid decline, and their area of Europe is known as the "Powder Keg"
  • Rising Militarism

    Rising Militarism

    European countries largely expanded their armies and navies, which makes all the other countries nervous, so they do the same, and the cycle continues.
  • Conflicts over Morocco

    Conflicts over Morocco

    In 1905 and again in 1911, Germany and France nearly fought over who would control Morocco, in Northern Africa. Most of Europe supported France so Germany backed down. This event is significant because it shows how imperialism expanding an empire by taking over weaker countries, led to intense competition and conflict between European Countries
  • The Triple Entente

    The Triple Entente

    Britain makes an alliance with France and Russia once Germany made a navy equal to Britain
  • Austri annexes Bosnia and Herzegovnia

    Austri annexes Bosnia and Herzegovnia

    Serbian leaders, who had sought to rule these provinces, were outraged. In the years that followed, tensions between Serbia and Austria steadily rose.
  • Franz Ferdinand Assasinated

    Franz Ferdinand Assasinated

    Arch-Duke Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie go to Sarajevo, Bosnia. Both of them were shot at point-blank by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand.
  • Austria presents Serbia with Ultimatum

    Austria presents Serbia with Ultimatum

    Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum containing numerous demands. Serbia knew that refusing the ultimatum would lead to war against the more powerful Austria. Therefore, Serbian leaders agreed to most of Austria’s demands. They offered to have several others settled by an international conference.
  • Russia gets on the move

    Russia gets on the move

    After Austria rejected Serbia's offer, and declared war, Russia ordered troops to march towards the Austrian border. Russia has a large Slavic population, was compelled to take action;.
  • Attempting to udno

    Attempting to udno

    Wilhelm, the British Prime Minister, and the Italian government urged Russia and Austria to negotiate, but it was too late. The war was about to start.