The post-WWI

Long term causes of WWI

( Main acronym ) 

Militarism- The belief that a strong military is essential for national strength and security.

• In the early 20th century, European nations believed that military strength was essential for national security and prestige. 

• Countries such as Germany, Britain, and France built up huge armies and navies. Germany, under Kaiser Wilhelm II, especially expanded its navy to rival Britain’s Royal Navy, leading to an arms race. 

• New weapons like machine guns and artillery were developed, and military plans such as Germany’s Schlieffen Plan (to defeat France quickly before turning on Russia) reflected the belief that war was both likely and necessary. 

Alliances – Formal agreements between nations to support each other in war 

Europe was divided into two powerful alliance systems designed for protection but which instead increased the likelihood of a larger war: 

• Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy 

• Triple Entente (1907): Britain, France, Russia 

• These alliances created a balance of power, but also a “domino effect”if one country went to war, its allies were drawn in, turning a regional conflict into a world war. 

 

Imperialism – expanding a nations power by acquiring nations and territories  

• The late 19th century saw European powers competing for colonies in Africa and Asia, leading to clashes and resentment. 

• Germany felt it had been denied a “place in the sun” and resented Britain and France’s vast colonial empires. 

• Colonial rivalries, such as the Moroccan Crises (1905 and 1911), brought the powers close to war even before 1914. 

1. Nationalism - intense pride in one’s nation or ethnic group, created instability across Europe. 

2. e.g the Balkans, various ethnic groups (like the Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians) wanted independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

3. Serbia, supported by Russia, promoted Pan-Slavism—the unity of all Slavic peoples—which threatened Austria-Hungary’s control over its diverse population. 

4. Meanwhile, nationalism in major powers like Germany and France encouraged militarism and a willingness to go to war to defend national honour. 

 
 

short term causes of WWI

• On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group The Black Hand. 

• Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia and then declared war on 28 July 1914. 

• Russia mobilised to defend Serbia, causing Germany to declare war on Russia (1 August), then France (3 August). 

• When Germany invaded Belgium to reach France, Britain declared war on Germany (4 August). 

• This chain reaction turned a regional crisis into a global war. 

 
  

 
 

Nature of Warfare During WWI 

1. Trench Warfare: 

   • Dominated the Western Front (France and Belgium). 

   • Soldiers fought from deep trenches separated by no man’s land. 

   • Conditions were harsh—mud, disease, rats, and stalemates were common. 

2. New Technology: 

   • Machine guns, tanks, poison gas, airplanes, and submarines were introduced. 

   • These caused massive casualties but little territorial gain. 

3. War of Attrition: 

   • Victory depended on wearing down the enemy’s manpower and supplies rather than quick victories. 

4. Total War: 

   • Entire societies were mobilised—economies, industries, and civilians were all involved in the war effort. 

5. Massive Casualties: 

   • Millions of soldiers and civilians died, with very limited territorial change. 

Treaty of Versailles 

• 1919 

• It stated that Germany had to except full responsibility for starting the war 

• pay 6.6 billion in compensations to the allies 

• lost territories -  all oversees colonies  

• was excluded form the league of nations

treaty of saint - german

• with Austria

• it formally ended the Austrian empire

• Austria was broken into Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland, had to recognize their independence as new countries.  

• Austria was forbidden to unite with Germany

• had military restriction of 30, 000 men and no heavy weapons

• Austria was recognised as an independent state but placed under the oversight of the League of Nations.