Causes of World War I

Study Notes

Causes of the War

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: On June 28, 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist.
Nationalism: Rising nationalist sentiment in various countries, including Serbia, Austria-Hungary, and Germany, contributed to an atmosphere of tension and competition.
Imperialism: European powers were competing for colonies and resources around the world, leading to rivalries and tensions.
Alliances: Complex systems of alliances, including the Triple Entente (France, Britain, and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), created a sense of obligation and entrapment.

Major Events of the War

Outbreak of War: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, following the assassination. This led to a chain reaction of declarations of war among European powers.
Battle of the Frontiers: A series of battles fought in August and September 1914, including the Battle of the Marne, resulted in a stalemate and the establishment of trench warfare.
Trench Warfare: The war became characterized by a stalemate of trench warfare, with both sides dug in along the Western Front.
Battle of Verdun: A brutal and devastating battle fought from February 21 to December 18, 1916, resulting in heavy losses on both sides.
Battle of the Somme: A bloody and unsuccessful British offensive fought from July 1 to November 18, 1916.
United States Enters the War: The US declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, following Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare.
Russian Revolution: The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to Russia's withdrawal from the war.

Key Players and Leaders

Allied Powers:
- France: Georges Clemenceau
- Britain: David Lloyd George
- Russia (until 1917): Nicholas II
- United States: Woodrow Wilson
Central Powers:
- Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm II
- Austria-Hungary: Franz Joseph
- Ottoman Empire: Mehmed V

Treaty of Versailles and Aftermath

Treaty of Versailles: Signed on June 28, 1919, the treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant reparations and territorial losses.
League of Nations: Established in 1919 as an international organization dedicated to promoting peace and preventing future wars.
War Losses: Estimated 37 million casualties, including 11 million military deaths and 20 million wounded.
Global Impact: The war led to the fall of several empires, the rise of new nations, and a significant shift in the global balance of power.

Causes of the War

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Nationalism led to rising tensions among European countries, including Serbia, Austria-Hungary, and Germany.
Imperialism created rivalries and tensions as European powers competed for colonies and resources worldwide.
Complex systems of alliances, including the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, created a sense of obligation and entrapment.

Major Events of the War

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, leading to a chain reaction of declarations of war among European powers.
The Battle of the Frontiers in August and September 1914 resulted in a stalemate and the establishment of trench warfare.
Trench warfare characterized the war, with both sides dug in along the Western Front.
The Battle of Verdun from February 21 to December 18, 1916, resulted in heavy losses on both sides.
The Battle of the Somme from July 1 to November 18, 1916, was a bloody and unsuccessful British offensive.
The US declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, following Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare.
The Russian Revolution in 1917 led to Russia's withdrawal from the war.

Key Players and Leaders

Allied Powers:
- France: Georges Clemenceau
- Britain: David Lloyd George
- Russia (until 1917): Nicholas II
- United States: Woodrow Wilson
Central Powers:
- Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm II
- Austria-Hungary: Franz Joseph
- Ottoman Empire: Mehmed V

Treaty of Versailles and Aftermath

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant reparations and territorial losses.
The League of Nations was established in 1919 to promote peace and prevent future wars.
The war resulted in an estimated 37 million casualties, including 11 million military deaths and 20 million wounded.
The war led to the fall of several empires, the rise of new nations, and a significant shift in the global balance of power.

Description

Learn about the events that led to the outbreak of World War I, including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nationalism, and imperialism. Test your knowledge of the historical circumstances surrounding the war.