The image shows the causes of WWI, set out like a bonfire
World History Cross-Links
United States History Cross-Links
Topics on this page
General Causes of World War I
Background on Alliances
Economic and Imperial Competition
Balkan Nationalism
German Militarism and Aggressiveness
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Otto von Bismark
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The Schlieffen Plan
The Power Vacuum and the Decline of the Russian, Austrian and Ottoman Empires
Focus Question: What were the causes of World War I?
French Propaganda Poster: "Our glorious 75 mm gun"
Overview of Causes of World War I
The Origins of World War One from BBC History.
Click here for an interactive map from BBC's Bitesize History demonstrating the building of European tensions in the early 20th century.
A video recorded lecture from Yale University -- The Origins of World War I
Crash Course videos on World War One:
For a free download of Dan Carlin's Hardcore History Podcast on World War I link here
Primary Sources and Biographies
https://www.green-wood.com/2017/biographies-of-world-war-i-veterans-part-one/
https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/allied_powers.php
Here you will find a comprehensive list of learning plans and primary sources that represent World War I in a global context.
- The National World War I museum off teachers the ability to receive lesson plans on WWI that are heavily focused on the importance to primary source material.
- Click here to reach the page which allows teachers to sign up to receive these materials.
- The Blame Game - students, individually or in teams, are assigned a nation to represent.
- Click here for a lesson plan on the causes of WWI
- Click here for a quick YouTube video from Simple History detailing the events leading up to WWI
- Click here for an interactive global map detailing the situations of various countries leading up to and during WWI
Click here for an article discussing the jobs women worked during WWI
Image from Wikipedia
Background Information on the Alliances
To aid in understanding the causes of World War I, it is important to note the different alliances made prior to World War I.
- The Dual Alliance: 1879. Germany and Austria Hungary. This is what remains after Russia opts out of the previous alliance. Germany and Austria Hungary agree to come to each others aid if Russia were to attack.
- The Triple Alliance: 1882. Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy. All agree to help in case French attack. If a country was attacked by two or more other countries, members of the alliance would aid them. However, if a member of the alliance was involved in a war where preventative measures could have been taken, the other members of the alliance can choose to remain neutral. (Italy later goes and makes a deal on the side with the French too). Click here for more.
- Anglo-Japanese Alliance: Britain breaks self-imposed isolation to make a pact with Japan so that Germany can't expand in the East.
- The Triple Entente: 1912. Britain, France, and Russia. The countries involved are "morally obligated" to help if attacked. In 1912, Britain and France agree to mutual military assistance. Britain agrees to protect France's coastline and France agrees to help protect the Suez Canal.
From Khan Academy, Alliances Leading to World War One.
Primary Sources
The Triple Entente Declaration on No Separate Peace, September 4, 1914.
Excerpt from Daily Telegraph interview with Kaiser Wilhelm II.
- The result of these alliances is that each country gets pulled into the war. Most of these alliances were made because the rulers of each country hoped to gain, or at least not lose, land and/or power and influence.
Check out this page which uses 40 different maps to illustrate the changing European landscape in the years during and surrounding WWI.
Economic and Imperial Competition
Economic and Imperial competition played a crucial role in causing World War I.
Most European rulers sought to expand their empires by controlling foreign lands.
These lands were often used for the benefit of the mother country. However, expanding and maintaining power was often difficult and sparked rivalries.
Austria-Hungary wanted to have more control in the Balkans, therefore triggering the response to Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination in 1914.
The Russian Empire then responded to the Austrian-Hungarians because increased control over the Balkans meant control over the Dardanelles Strait, the only trade route from Russia that accessed to the Mediterranean from the Black Sea.
Bismark, the German Chancellor, and later Kaiser Wilhelm II, sought to expand Germany's territories and saw war as an option for doing so. France, bitter over losing land to Germany in 1871, wanted desperately to gain their territory back. Russia and Japan both had interests in Korea and Manchuria.
Nationalism and WWI
For a map showing European Imperialism in Africa on the eve of WWI click here.
- For a critique of European Imperialism from a Muslim scholar living in Africa in 1908 click here.
Balkan Nationalism and the Beginning of the War
Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand
Wars in the Balkans raged during the pre-war period. In 1912, Turkey and Italy fought over land and Turkey lost.
Then, shortly after concluding the war with Italy, Turkey was at war with Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro. In 1913, European powers intervened and Turkey lost Crete and all of its European possessions.
Following this, Bulgaria fought against its former allies in order to gain more control of Macedonia. Bulgaria lost, but these constant uprisings show how the people in the Balkans were tired of living under the rule of the Turkish and Austro-Hungarian Empires.
Nationalistic feelings began to spread.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina had been annexed in 1908 by Austria-Hungary. This move had angered many who felt that these areas should be unified as a pan-slavic state headed by Serbia, not held under the control of Austria-Hungary.
- Franz Ferdinand, Inspector General of the Austro-Hungarian army, went to Sarajevo (the capital of Bosnia) in 1914 to inspect military maneuvers.
See The Man Who Started World War I: 7 Things Your Didn't Know, from CNN
- At first, Austria-Hungary did not immediately respond.
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as related by one of the leaders of the Black Hand and Ferdinand's bodyguard.
From Khan Academy, The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
- However, it was soon realized that this was the pretense needed for gaining more control of the Balkans. Austria-Hungary gave Serbia a ridiculous ultimatum, which essentially would leave Serbia devoid of any sort of control over itself.
- It was expected that Serbia would refuse the ultimatum, thus giving Austria-Hungary a reason to declare war.
- Shockingly, Serbia accepted almost all of the terms of the ultimatum. However, because some points of the ultimatum were not accepted completely, Austria-Hungary used this as a reason to declare war.
Click here for an article detailing the life and assassination of Sophie, Duchess von Hohenberg, wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to Serbia
Serbian response to the ultimatum
A lecture by Steven W. Sowards, a professor from Swarthmore College, called The Balkan causes of World War I.
The "Blank Check", Germany's assurance of support to Austria-Hungary.
For an overview of Balkan Nationalism leading up to WWI click here.
German Militarism and Aggression
Otto von Bismarck, 1879
Otto von Bismark was appointed First Prime Minister of Prussia and chancellor of Germany in 1862 by Kaiser Wilhelm I. Bismark wanted unification, rather than smaller states that were mostly under Austrian influence.
- Jonathan Steinberg (Bismark: A Life. Oxford University Press, 2011) has written that Bismark's effort to unify Germany as "the greatest diplomatic and political achievement by any leader in the last two centuries."
- He accomplished this "without commanding a single soldier, without dominating a vast parliamentary majority, without the support of a mass movement, without any previous experience in government and in the face of national revulsion at his name and his reputation" (quoted in "Master Statesman," Henry Kissinger, The New York Times Book Review, April 3, 2011, pp. 1, 10-11).
In 1866 Prussia went to war against Austria over the duchy of Holstein.
- Also known as the "Seven Weeks War," Prussia gained more territory than what was even being fought over and the North German Federation was created.
- After peace was negotiated with Austria, Bismark turned his sights on France. Through manipulation of the throne in Spain and a doctored telegram, Bismark got France to declare war on Prussia.
- Just as before, Prussian forces triumphed and southern and northern Germany were united. After securing land and unifying the German states to create Germany, Bismark sought to establish alliances to secure stability.
- These alliances would contribute to the outbreak of World War I. With each country linked to another, it was not long before one country's declaration of war would lead to a domino effect of others doing the same thing.
In 1890, Bismark was dismissed by the new Kaiser, Wilhelm II.
- Wilhelm II wanted to expand Germany, especially into Africa. In an effort to do this, he wanted the navy built to rival Britain's, which was considered the best in the world.
- Germany continued to contribute a massive amount of their war fund to this creation of a navy, leaving other areas to suffer during the war.
- The British viewed this naval build up as a threat and broke their self-imposed isolation to make a pact with Japan to stop Germany from expanding in the East. Britain also began to put more resources toward their already large and powerful navy.
For a brief video of von Bismark click here.
For a primary source on Germany's desire to have a more influential role in foreign affairs through increased militarism click here.
Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg thought that increased militarism in Germany would be a way to calm social unrest. Wilhelm II, meanwhile, grew increasingly frustrated that he could not expand his empire. With the coming of war, the government had to consider what the best plan of action would be. The country was right in between France and Russia. In order to prevent a two-front war, Germany had to attack not only with an intense force but quickly.
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was created by Count Alfred Von Schlieffen of Germany with its main goal being to knock France out of the war before Russia could contribute.
- This required a heavy build up of forces and several stages of an invasion. France was heavily fortified along their borders, so The Schlieffen Plan created an invasion route through Belgium.
- What came out of this was an understanding of a pre-emptive strike for Germany along with an understanding for the Allies that Germany’s strength was growing and they were a serious concern.
Click the map to have Professor Mullaney explain The Schlieffen Plan map its goals ->
Although German militarism is cited as one of the causes of WWI, other nations were militaristic as well. England, France, Russia, Italy and the US all began to increase their military spending by 1908. For Primary sources on increased European militarism click here.
Click here to learn more about the arms race that happened in Europe before the outbreak of the war.
The Power Vacuum in Europe and the Decline of the Russian, Austrian and Ottoman Empires
Towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, three of the major empires in Europe began to fall apart.
- They can all be seen as dissolving either during or after World War I, but they had been losing power in the area for years.
- Before the war, all three empires were very influential and powerful in Europe, but once they started to unravel it created an interesting effect. A power vacuum occurred in which all of the major empires lost control and the surrounding nations, eager for a chance at more power, tried to fill their spots.
- Since the empires were noticeably weaker before the war, the surrounding countries all began to gain nationalistic attitudes and vied for that power which was a major contributor to the fervor that caused the war.
The expansive empires of Europe are what truly made "The Great War" a global one. Colonial powers in Europe were quick to draw on the resources of their colonial entities to facilitate their roles in war. For more information on the role of contract workers in the lead up to and during WWI read this article.
The Russian Empire
Russia in Color, A Century Ago features a collection of color photographs taken between 1909 and 1912 by photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii who was doing a photographic study of the Russian Empire with the support of Czar Nicholas II.
Women's Political Activism in Russia from 1905-1917, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
The Austrian Empire
Europe's Declining Powers: The Hapsburg Empire
Was Austria-Hungry in Decline Pre-World War I? from AskHistorians
The Ottoman Empire
The Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire
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What plan was designed to attack France and take them out of the war, so that Germany could focus their attention on Russia and avoid a two-front war?
A. Schlieffen Plan
B. Gallipoli Campaign
C. Brusilov Offensive
D. German Spring Offensive
Answer: A
Multicultural Sources
https://www.archives.gov/topics/wwi/diversity
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/personnel/cultural-diversity
https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/resources/Native-Words-Native-Warriors
https://guides.loc.gov/american-minority-groups-in-world-war-i
Multimedia Sources
World War One (ALL PARTS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHSQAEam2yc&pp=ygUNd3cxIHJlc291cmNlcw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lpmSyUrzk0&pp=ygUNd3cxIHJlc291cmNlcw%3D%3D
Links
[1] Duffy, M (2007). First World War. Retrieved March 11, 2007 and February 26, 2008, Web site: http://www.firstworldwar.com/
[2] Sowards, S (April 13, 2004). The Balkan Causes of World War I. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from 25 Lectures on Modern Balkan History Web site: http://www.lib.msu.edu/sowards/balkan/lect15.htm
[3] Lozinski, B.P. (1964). The Name Slav. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from Essays in Russian History Web site: http://www.kroraina.com/fadlan/lozinski.html
[4] (March 9, 2007). Austria-Hungary. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary
[5] Hooker, R (June 6, 1999). The Ottomans. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from World Cultures Web site: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/OTTOMAN/OTTOMAN1.HTM
[6] Duffy, M (2007). The Balkan Causes of World War One. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from First World War Web site: http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/balkan_causes.htm#Serbian Blame: The Black Hand
[7] Duffy, M (2007). Who's Who: Gavrilo Princip. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from First World War Web site: http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/princip.htm
[8] Duffy, M (2007). Who's Who: Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from First World War Web site: http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/ferdinand.htm
[9] (2006). Retrieved March 11, 2007, from Royal Navy Web site: http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/
[10] Schlieffen Plan. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from Spartacus Educational Web site: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWschlieffenP.htm
[11] The Russian Revolution and the Communist Party. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from Libcom.org Web site: http://libcom.org/library/russian-revolution-communist-party-alexander-berkman
[12] Hardcore History 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I. 29th October, 2013, from dancarlin.com Web site: https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-50-blueprint-for-armageddon-i/
Add Discussion
maps of Balkan region
worldhistoryteacher Apr 18, 2011
I would love to see maps similar to those in Norman Davies's Europe for the period before 1914. It is in the first 20 pages of pp. 1300s. See here for some of the maps, but not the ones I am referring to:
http://books.google.com/books?id=4StZDvPCcJEC&dq=norman+davies+maps+of+europe+balkans&source=gbs_navlinks_s
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