World War I: Causes

• The causes of World War I can be remembered with the acronym MANIA (Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, Assassination).

Militarism

• Defined as the policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war
• There was an increase in defense expenditures between 1910-1914:
  • France increased by 10%
  • Britain increased by 13%

Alliances

• Agreements between nations to provide aid and protect one another
• The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary
• The Triple Entente consisted of Great Britain, France, and Russia

Nationalism

• Extreme pride in one's country.
• At the settlement of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the principle of nationalism was ignored in favor of preserving the peace.
• Germany and Italy were left as divided states, but strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871.
• Alsace-Lorraine was lost to Germany by France, and regaining it was major goal of the French.
• For Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups, nationalism posed a problem. The ardent Pan-Slavism of Serbia and Russia's willingness to support it.

Imperialism

• Occurs when one country takes over another country economically and politically.
• Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution.
• These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa.
• Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa.

Assassination

• Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand.
• The Black Hand believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia.
• Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand's death and declared war on Serbia, starting the domino effect.
• Germany pledged their support for Austria-Hungary.
• Russia pledged their support for Serbia.
• Germany declared war on Russia.
• France pledged their support for Russia.
• Germany then declared war on France.
• Germany invaded Belgium on the way to France.

World War I

• The Allied Powers included Great Britain, France, and Russia
• The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary

World War I Stalemate

• A stalemate happens when neither side can make a move to win.
• The machine gun changed war.
• Trench Warfare was the "solution".
• Millions died without gaining ground.

Trench Warfare Layout

• No Man's Land: the area between opposing trenches.
• Forward listening post (sap): a small, advanced position for reconnaissance.
• Communication trench: Trenches used to move between the various positions.
• Parados: Provided protection from explosions behind the trench.
• Front-line trench: The trench closest to the enemy.
• Firebay: A recessed area in the trench where soldiers would stand and fire.

New Weapons Used in WWI

• Machine gun
• Poison gas
• Submarine
• Airplane
• Tank

Results of WWI

• Germany surrendered.
• The Allies imposed the Treaty of Versailles.
• Germany was declared guilty for the war and had to pay reparations to Allies.
• This set the stage for WWII.
• The League of Nations formed to try to prevent future wars.

Casualties of WWI

• Total troops mobilized by all countries: 65,038,810
• Total troops dead from all countries: 8,556,315
• Total troops wounded from all countries: 21,219,452