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Questions and Answers
What effect did militarism have on the alliances formed before World War I?
What effect did militarism have on the alliances formed before World War I?
Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance?
Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance?
What was a primary motivation for imperialism leading up to World War I?
What was a primary motivation for imperialism leading up to World War I?
How did nationalism contribute to the outbreak of World War I?
How did nationalism contribute to the outbreak of World War I?
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Which factor best explains the arms race that occurred among European nations?
Which factor best explains the arms race that occurred among European nations?
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What was a significant consequence of the alliance system before World War I?
What was a significant consequence of the alliance system before World War I?
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Which territory was sought after by France due to nationalism?
Which territory was sought after by France due to nationalism?
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Why did Russia seek more territory in Southeast Europe prior to World War I?
Why did Russia seek more territory in Southeast Europe prior to World War I?
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What was the primary nationalist group responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
What was the primary nationalist group responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
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Which event is referred to as 'the spark' that initiated World War I?
Which event is referred to as 'the spark' that initiated World War I?
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What was Archduke Franz Ferdinand doing in Sarajevo at the time of his assassination?
What was Archduke Franz Ferdinand doing in Sarajevo at the time of his assassination?
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What was one significant outcome of the expansion of European empires prior to World War I?
What was one significant outcome of the expansion of European empires prior to World War I?
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Study Notes
Main Causes of the Great War (1914-1918)
- Militarism: Stockpiling of armaments, nations building strong militaries.
- Alliance System: Secret mutual defense agreements; created two opposing camps in Europe.
- Imperialism: Industrialized nations building empires, creating rivalries.
- Nationalism: Extreme pride in one's country, often leading to exclusion of other nations' interests.
Militarism
- Belief that a country must maintain a strong military.
- Driven by advanced industrialization.
- European nations stockpiled weapons.
- "Might makes Right" mentality: Nations with superior weaponry dictated policy.
- Germany's naval expansion against Britain intensified the arms race.
- Increased paranoia of attack, leading to more alliances.
Imperialism
- Expansion of empires by gaining territories.
- Industrialized powers competing for resources and territories.
- Russia and Germany wanted more territory.
- Britain and France held large empires in Africa and Asia.
- Austria-Hungary's expansion into the Balkans exacerbated existing tensions.
Alliances
- Agreements between countries for mutual defense.
- Created two opposing alliances: Triple Entente (Britain, Russia, France) and Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).
- Alliances escalated conflicts as an attack on one was seen as an attack on the whole alliance.
- Russia sought warm water ports, which created Balkan conflicts with Austria-Hungary.
- France wanted Alsace-Lorraine back from Germany.
- Britain felt threatened by German militarism.
Nationalism
- Strong identification with one's nation/ethnicity/religion.
- Prioritization of national interests over others.
- Intense nationistic rivalries were created.
- Serbian nationalist group ("Black Hand") assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering the war.
The Spark
- Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria-Hungary) and wife visited Sarajevo, Bosnia.
- Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Archduke.
- Assassination was a catalyst for the start of the Great War.
- Ferdinand's visit route was changed to avoid earlier planned bombing attacks.
- Princip's actions directly led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.
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Description
Explore the main causes of the Great War, including militarism, alliance systems, imperialism, and nationalism. Each factor contributed significantly to the tensions that led to the outbreak of World War I. Understand how these elements intertwined to create a complex web of conflict among European nations.
