WWI Causes Flashcards

M.A.N.I.A. - Causes of WWI

• Acronym M.A.N.I.A. represents the primary causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Assassination.
• Each cause contributed significantly to the onset of the war.

Militarism

• Militarism involved a significant build-up of military forces, fostering an arms race among nations.
• Countries aimed to strengthen their armed forces for defense and national interests, leading to increased tensions.

Alliances

• Alliances entailed agreements between nations for mutual support during conflicts.
• Major alliances included the Triple Entente (Allies) with Great Britain, France, and Russia, and the Triple Alliance (Central Powers) with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• The formation of these alliances heightened suspicions and conflict readiness among countries.

Nationalism

• Nationalism is characterized by intense pride in one’s nation, often accompanying symbols like flags and anthems.
• The influence of the French Revolution spread nationalist sentiments across Europe.
• Ethnic groups sought independence, fueling conflict with imperial powers and increasing national rivalries.

Imperialism

• Imperialism refers to the domination of one country over another politically, economically, or culturally.
• Driven by the Industrial Revolution, nations like Great Britain, Germany, and France pursued foreign markets for natural resources, intensifying global competition and colonial conflicts.

Assassination

• Assassination is the intentional killing of a prominent official to influence political events.
• The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife by the Serbian nationalist group, the Black Hand, on June 28, 1914, is viewed as the immediate trigger for WWI.
• The belief that Bosnia should belong to Serbia fueled the nationalist sentiments and led to a declared expansion of conflict.