World War I: M.A.N.I.A. Causes

• M.A.N.I.A. represents the causes of The Great War

Militarism

• Militarism is the belief in maintaining a strong military and using it to defend national interests.
• Countries competed to build larger, more powerful forces, contributing to a climate of tension and potential conflict.

Alliance System

• Nations formed alliances to maintain a balance of power.
• The Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• The Triple Entente included Russia, France, and Britain.

Nationalism

• Nationalism is the identification with one's own people and support for their interests
• Multi-ethnic empires faced issues as people desired autonomy/independence; the Balkans and the Arab Uprising exemplify this.

Imperialism

• Imperialism is extending a country's power through diplomacy or military force.
• Nations competed for territories, resources, and imperial influence, leading to conflicts and rivalries.

Assassination

• A Serbian Nationalist Terrorist assassinated Archduke Ferdinand, triggering a chain of events that led to war.

Technology

• Advancements led to death on a catastrophic scale, with new strategies and innovations continuously developing.
• Weaponry advancements included airplanes, machine guns, submarines, and chemical warfare.

Mass Production, Industrialism, and Total War

• Industrial Revolution mechanized production led to the mass production of weapons.

Treaty of Versailles

• The Treaty of Versailles at the Paris Peace Conference, and its conditions gave rise to nationalism & totalitarianism.
• Fourteen Points served as a basis for the Treaty of Versailles, outlining America's terms for peace, including territorial adjustments and the establishment of a League of Nations.
• The "Guilt Clause" blamed Germany for the war.
• German Reparations included payments of $33 billion.
• Disarmament of Germany restricted the size and nature of their military.
• Decolonization forced Germany to give up lands in Africa & the Pacific islands.
• The League of Nations was organized to prevent future conflicts and promote disarmament & cooperation between nations.

Russian Revolution of 1917

• The Russian Revolution of 1917 had specific causes and a significant overall impact.

Causes of the Russian Revolution

• The people had no confidence in the imperial government.
• The 1905 Revolution caused tension & division between groups.
• There were major military losses in World War I.
• The Duma was dominated by nobles, resulting in the people having little representation.
• Inflation and food shortages impacted the population
• Vladimir Lenin promised “Peace, Land, and Bread”.

Impact of the Russian Revolution

• Abdication of Nicholas II & the end of Russian Czars.
• Rise of the Bolsheviks & the 1st socialist/communist government.
• Beginnings of the Soviet Union.
• Russia's removal from WW1.
• Spread of communism.

Explore the M.A.N.I.A. acronym representing the primary causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Assassination. Understand how each of these factors contributed to the outbreak of the Great War, creating a climate of tension and conflict among nations.