US History, Fall 2008US History, Fall 2008

Unit 3Unit 3

Tinder Box:Tinder Box:

1 a1 a :: a metal box for holding tinder and a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark usually a flint and steel for striking a spark bb :: a highly inflammable object or place a highly inflammable object or place

22 :: a potentially explosive place or situation a potentially explosive place or situation

The war started July 28, 1914 when The war started July 28, 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.Serbia.

By the second week of August the five By the second week of August the five major European empires were all at warmajor European empires were all at war

There were four main causes to WWIThere were four main causes to WWI

1. NATIONALISM 1. NATIONALISM

Devotion to Nation/StateDevotion to Nation/State

Unifies people and divides themUnifies people and divides them

Can you explain why this might be?Can you explain why this might be?

Nationalism used to unify Germany in Nationalism used to unify Germany in 1871 1871

NATIONALISM (continued)NATIONALISM (continued)

Nationalism led to unrest in the Balkans Nationalism led to unrest in the Balkans

1. Part of Austria-Hungary Empire1. Part of Austria-Hungary Empire

2. Peoples in Balkans wanted to be 2. Peoples in Balkans wanted to be

an an independent nationindependent nation

3. Known as “powder keg” of Europe 3. Known as “powder keg” of Europe

because of the nationalistic because of the nationalistic

rivalries thererivalries there

Ethno-Linguistic Map of Europe Before 1914Ethno-Linguistic Map of Europe Before 1914

(What does “ethno-linguistic” mean, anyway?)(What does “ethno-linguistic” mean, anyway?)

2. MILITARISM2. MILITARISMEnvironment glorifying military spirit and need of Environment glorifying military spirit and need of

constant preparation for warconstant preparation for war

Fierce competition between countries encouraged Fierce competition between countries encouraged

militarismmilitarism

By 1914, Germany had the largest army and navyBy 1914, Germany had the largest army and navy

Great Britain had most powerful navy in the worldGreat Britain had most powerful navy in the world

All European countries had huge standing armiesAll European countries had huge standing armies

3. IMPERIALISM3. IMPERIALISMAcquiring empire - Control of one people Acquiring empire - Control of one people without the consent of the governedwithout the consent of the governed

European countries wanted empires in European countries wanted empires in Africa and AsiaAfrica and Asia

They competed for markets, resources, They competed for markets, resources, and raw materialsand raw materials

European countries kept large militaries to European countries kept large militaries to protect or maintain control of coloniesprotect or maintain control of colonies

4. ENTAGLING ALLIANCES4. ENTAGLING ALLIANCES

A defensive alliance is when each member A defensive alliance is when each member pledges to come to the assistance of the pledges to come to the assistance of the other member(s) if attacked other member(s) if attacked

The Triple Alliance or Central PowersThe Triple Alliance or Central Powers

1. Germany1. Germany

2. Austria-Hungary2. Austria-Hungary

3. Italy3. Italy

MORE ALLIANCESMORE ALLIANCESThe Triple Alliance made France nervous, so The Triple Alliance made France nervous, so they formed their own alliancethey formed their own alliance

The Triple Entente or Allied PowersThe Triple Entente or Allied Powers1. France1. France2. Great Britain2. Great Britain3. Russia3. Russia

In 1904, Russia formed an alliance with SerbiaIn 1904, Russia formed an alliance with Serbia

The alliance system committed not only The alliance system committed not only countries to the alliance but their colonies as countries to the alliance but their colonies as wellwell

THE POWEDER KEG EXPLODESTHE POWEDER KEG EXPLODESArchduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated July 1914July 1914

Austria-Hungary blames Serbia and declared Austria-Hungary blames Serbia and declared warwar

Russia, allied to Serbia, declared war on Russia, allied to Serbia, declared war on Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary

This brought in all of the alliances into playThis brought in all of the alliances into play

In thinking about the causes of WWI, how does In thinking about the causes of WWI, how does this cartoon illustrate the connection between this cartoon illustrate the connection between

alliances and imperialism?alliances and imperialism?

Which of the 4 causes of WWI does Which of the 4 causes of WWI does this cartoon best depict?this cartoon best depict?

Now, answer this question:Now, answer this question:

How can Europe prior to WWI How can Europe prior to WWI be described as a tinderbox?be described as a tinderbox?