From 1914 to 1919, World War I erupted in Europe
This “Great War” was the largest, most destructive war the world had yet seen
WWI was a global war that altered the course of the 20th century
From 1870 to 1914, a number of developments gradually increased tensions among the European powers that led to the outbreak of World War I
MILITARISM ALLIANCES IMPERIALISM NATIONALISM
The Industrial Revolution led to large, advanced militaries in Europe
Europeans believed that to be great, nations had to have strong militaries
As a result, an arms race began among European nations, especially between Britain & Germany
Nations glorified military power & kept an army prepared for war (called militarism)
Having a strong army increased patriotism among citizens
European nations competed fiercely for colonies in Africa & Asia
Competition for colonies often pushed Europeans
to the brink of war
This competition increased European rivalry & mistrust
Germany & France almost went to war three times over Morocco
England & France argued over rights to the Sudan
Germany, England, Russia argued over building a railroad in India
Germany, Italy, & Austria-Hungary made up the Triple Alliance
England, France, & Russia formed the Triple Entente
Rivalries due to militarism & imperialism increased nationalism among European powers
European rivals tried to maintain a balance of power while also trying to overpower each other
No region was more tense in the years before World War I than the Balkans
Serbia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, & Romania broke from the Ottoman Empire to create new nations
The Balkans became a “powder keg” waiting for a spark to blow up
Serbia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, & Romania broke from the Ottoman Empire to create new nations
Slavic people in Serbia wanted to unify all Slavs but Austria-Hungary opposed giving up the largely Slavic territories Bosnia & Herzegovina
Serbians vowed to take Bosnia & Herzegovina from Austria-Hungary
On June 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife were assassinated by a Serbian terrorist
On July 23, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia: turn over conspirators & allow an investigation…OR…go to war
When Serbia balked at some of the terms, Austria-Hungary declared war on June 28, 1914
Russia had a large population of Slavs & was an ally of Serbia; Russia moved troops to the Austrian border
These events set off a chain reaction that started World War I
During the war Germany & Austria-Hungary became the Central Powers; They were joined by Bulgaria & the Ottoman Empire
The members of the Triple Entente became known as the Allied Powers and eventually were joined by…