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Nationalism
Nationalism created fierce competition in Europe. Nationalism created high tensions between nations as they all felt that they were the best. In the late 1800s, many Europeans believed that a nation should express the viewpoint and interests of a single ethnic group. This belief intensified international rivalries. They believed in order to be the strongest, they had to be financially and militarily better. Nationalism also threatened minority groups within nation-states. -
Imperialism
Imperialism is political, military, and economic domination of strong nations over weaker territories. Imperialism was influenced by Social Darwinism, the theory of “survival of the fittest.”
People competed for lands rich in raw materials as well as for places to build military bases to protect their empires. Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, and the United States joined the imperial way. -
Militarism
Militarism is one of the biggest causes of World War 1. Between 1890 and 1913 countries like France, Germany, Britain, Russia, and Austria-Hungary began building up their military power. The competition of nationalism was a main reason why the countries made their armies stronger. Military leaders increased the size of their armies and stockpiles of weapons. By 1914, Germany had a huge standing army and the largest, deadliest collection of guns in the world. -
The Alliances
Before 1914, two major alliances had formed. One major alliance was the Triple Alliance which included Germany, Austria- Hungary, and Italy. Opposed to the Triple Alliance was the Triple Entente, made up of France, Russia, and Great Britain. Alliances made countries reckless because they knew allies had to join them if they went to war. Also no one wanted to be seen as a bad partner which made it even more necessary to stay loyal. -
The Assassination of Francis Ferdinand and Sophie
Archduke Francis Ferdinand who was heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie went to visit Sarajevo. Some Bosnians who were ethnic Serbs believed that Bosnia rightfully belonged to Serbia, and they saw Francis Ferdinand as a tyrant. When the archduke’s driver made a wrong turn, Gavrilo Princip, one of the conspirators saw them and took his pistol and shot them. First Sophie and then Francis Ferdinand died. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
Kaiser William II of Germany gave Austria-Hungary a “blank check” promising them that Germany would stand by its ally if war came. Germany promised unlimited support for any action that Austria-Hungary would take to punish Serbia. -
World War I Begins
World War I began on July 28, 1914 and lasted until November 11, 1918. It is believed that World War I began because of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand which caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a chain of events that resulted in World War I . Great Britain entered the war when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Great Britain had treaties with France and Belgium. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sank the British passenger liner Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. This attack killed 1,198 passengers and crewmembers, including 128 Americans. German officials correctly claimed that the ship was carrying ammunition and other contraband. Americans protested that an unarmed and unresisting ship should not be sunk without first being warned and provided with safety for its passengers. This attack outraged many countries around the world. -
Germany's Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
In February 1915, Germany began sinking Allied ships using its submarines. After attacking the Lusitania, Germany promised not to sink any more passenger ships. But in 1916, Germany violated that promise by sinking the unarmed French passenger ship Sussex. “Germany returns to the policy of unrestricted submarine warfare it had previously suspended in response to pressure from the United States and other neutral countries” (history.com). -
Zimmerman Telegram
German Foreign Minister Zimmermann sent a telegram proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States during World War I. It stated that if the United States declared war on Germany, Mexico should declare war on the United States. In return, after a German victory, Mexico would get back the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The telegram was intercepted by the British, who gave it to American authorities. -
U.S Enters War
On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the Zimmermann note were main reasons why the United States joined the war. Americans helped give the Allies the advantage, not only through their contribution of troops, but with much-needed ships and supplies. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed by Germany and the Allies at the end of WW1. The treaty forced Germany to surrender territories to Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. “Perhaps the most humiliating portion of the treaty for defeated Germany was Article 231, commonly known as the "War Guilt Clause," which forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating World War I” (ushmm.org). The Treaty of Versailles made Germans very angry. They felt it was unfair. -
Effects of WWI
WW1 caused many things including casualties, formation of new countries, and disillusionment. There were over 35 million military and civilian casualties. New countries that formed as a result of WW1 include Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, and more. “A feeling of disillusionment spread across the world as people bitterly decided that their governments in no way knew how to serve the best interests of the people “(ibatpv.org). -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
The Dawes Plan was an agreement in which the United States loaned money to Germany, allowing Germany to make reparation payments to Britain and France.“Under the Dawes Plan, Germany’s annual reparation payments would be reduced, increasing over time as its economy improved; the full amount to be paid, however, was left undetermined”(history.state.gov). The Young Plan reduced the total amount of reparations demanded of Germany to 121 billion gold marks, almost $29 billion, payable over 58 years. -
The Great Depression
“The Great Depression was the deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world"(history.com). The stock market crash started a chain of events that caused the American economy to collapse. After the crash, frightened depositors withdrew their money and banks failed. Companies fired workers and closed factories. Some of the causes of the Great Depression include: stock speculation, buying on credit, and bank failures. -
Rise of Hitler
In 1933, Adolf Hitler became head of the German government. He quickly took absolute power using propaganda and violence. “After World War I, he rose to power in the National Socialist German Workers Party, taking control of the German government in 1933” (history.com). Also, Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles in many different ways.
