Countries:

• 20th Century

• Were 6 great powers (Empires) with colonies around the world & controlled parts of Europe

• Austria, Hungary

• Strong Military

• France

• Large Army

• Hates Germany

• Germany

• Economic

• Military strength

• Great Britain

• Greatest financial resources

• Powerful Navy

• Italy

• Many Allies

• Switched Sides in 1915

• Russia 

• Largest Army

• Poorly trained

• Poorly equipped

• World War 1 had technological changes: tanks, submarines, airplanes

• Great Britain & Germany were in an arms race: which colony is bigger.

Causes (M.A.I.N.):

• Militarism:

• World powers believed that strong armies were essential in deciding world issues

• Guaranteed peace through preparing for war

• Strong Nation = No Enemy Attack 

•  Created Arms Race

• All major countries began to build up large militaries

• Point where they all feared each other

• Alliances:

• Formed when two or more countries join together against a common threat

• Triple Entente:

• Russia

• Britain

• France 

• Triple Alliance: 

• Germany

• Austria Hungary

• Italy 

• Alliances were based on economic ties, culture, language, religion

• 
  

• Imperialism:

• Forceful expansions of nation's authority through territorial conquest

• Creates political & economic domination 

• Industrialization led to ideas of having new colonies & building empires

• Competitions of raw materials

• Competitions of gaining power 

• Nationalism:

• Feeling loyal to people & land

• Shared history 

• Common destiny 

•  People took action to promote well being of lands 

• Prepared to go to war

•  Defend their honour

Serbia & Bosnia:

• Cause: 

• Bosnia has been annexed by Austria

• Many Serbians still lived in Bosnia 

• Hated the Austrian rule

• Bosnian Serbs wanted to free Bosnia

• To unite with Serbia 

• Consequence:

• Created terrorist group

• The Balck Hand

Trigger:

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand 

• Heir to the Austrian Hungarian throne was assassinated in Sarajevo

• By a Serbian Nationalsist Gavrilo Princip 

•  From the Black Hand (Terrorist Organization)

•  June 28, 1914

Consequence:

• Was used as an excuse for Austria 

• To attack Serbia

• Gave them 48 hours to:

• Put down hatred of Austra

• Punish Assassins

• Help defeat the Black Hand

• Or would declare War

• Serbia Refused 

Blank Cheque:

• Germany gave Austria a “Blank Cheque”

• Stating they would help Austria at any time 

• Cheque was cashed 

• To deal with Bosnia & Serbia