7.2 Causes and Consequences of World War I

Introduction to Causes of World War I

  • Quote from Otto von Bismarck (1888): "The next great European war will probably come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans."

Essential Question

  • What were the causes and consequences of World War I?

Immediate Causes of World War I

  • World War I (1914-1918) is known for its immense scale, resulting in a high body count and significant geopolitical shifts.
  • Immediate cause of the war: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie on June 28, 1914 by Gavrilo Princip, member of the nationalist group Black Hand.
    • The assassination led Austria-Hungary to send an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding cessation of anti-Austrian actions.
    • Serbia's rejection of the ultimatum prompted Austria-Hungary to declare war on July 28, 1914.
    • Austria-Hungary sought support from Germany, while Serbia allied with Russia.
    • Chain reaction of declarations of war leading to the global conflict:
      • August 1: Germany declares war on Russia.
      • August 3: Germany declares war on France.
      • August 4: Britain declares war on Germany.
      • August 6: Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
    • By the end of August 1914, the war became a worldwide conflict with Japan's involvement.

Long-Term Causes of World War I

MAIN Causes (Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism)

  1. Militarism

    • Definition: Aggressive military readiness and celebration of war.
    • Major powers built up their militaries significantly, with Great Britain and Germany investing heavily in naval power and army strength.
    • The Industrial Revolution facilitated mass production of weapons.
    • Public perception of war as a competitive and festive engagement.

  2. Alliances

    • Formation of secret alliances among nations that committed members to military support in case of attack.
    • Russia and Germany involved in conflict due to protection agreements with Serbia and Austria-Hungary, respectively.
    • Major alliances before war:
      • Triple Entente (Allies): France, Great Britain, Russia.
      • Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Italy was neutral initially).
      • Other participants included Japan, the U.S., and numerous other nations by war's end.

  3. Imperialism

    • Competition for colonial dominance fueled rivalries among European powers.
    • Nations competed for global territories, leading to conflicts over colonies primarily in Africa and parts of Asia.
    • The desire for imperial expansion significantly exacerbated tensions leading up to the war.

  4. Nationalism

    • National pride and self-determination movements caused unrest within multinational empires.
    • Serbs, ethnic Slavs, and others sought independence from empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
    • Nationalist sentiments contributed directly to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Consequences of the Great War

  • Wide-ranging impacts of World War I on the 20th century included:
    • Downfall of four empires: Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire.
    • Redrawing of political boundaries in Europe and the Middle East.
    • Germany lost all overseas colonies; former Ottoman territories came under British and French control.
    • Transformation of global power dynamics with a shift away from European dominance toward the United States.
    • Emergence of new technologies and warfare strategies marked the conflict as the deadliest in history.
    • Rise of social movements: communism, fascism, colonial uprisings, and genocide stemming from war effects.
    • Post-war treaties imposed harsh reparations on Germany, fostering resentment and setting the stage for future conflicts, notably World War II.

Key Terms by Theme

  • GOVERNMENT: Wars and Rebellions
    • Great War
    • Gavrilo Princip
  • GOVERNMENT: Leaders
    • Archduke Franz Ferdinand
  • GOVERNMENT: Alliances
    • Triple Entente
    • Allies
    • Triple Alliance
    • Central Powers
  • SOCIETY: Ideologies and Organizations
    • Black Hand
    • Militarism
    • Secret alliances
    • Self-determination