- ASerbia -> B Austria -> C Russia -> D Germany -> E France -> F Britain
- Alliances: Russia forms alliance with Serbia and supports them in war against Austria. Also, after Russia’s treaty with Germany ended, Russia forms Triple Entente with France and Britain for protection and defense. Anschluss, a Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria, forms to create alliances that will isolate France.
- Nationalism: The Balkans fought for nationalism,supporting Bosnia breaking free from Austria-Hungary to become independent or even join Serbia.
- Imperialism:Germany, France, Britain were three main countries rushing to claim land, especially in Africa. The ‘Race for Africa’ meant their navy and access to the Mediterranean was key, and the Germans were mainly blocked by the British.
- Militarism: Germany and Britain start a naval race, which led to both countries alarmingly increasing the amount of money put into their military. Britain also had a ‘two power standard’, meaning they built their navy to be better than two other countries combined. The two countries gaining so much military power in little time got others to worry and also increase their military.
- Sequence of Events:
- Black Hand, a terrorist group from Serbia motivated by Balkan nationalism, assassins Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Austria demands to be allowed into Serbia for an investigation but Serbia refuses.
- The assassination and Serbia not accepting a search leads to Austria declaring war against Serbia. (July 28, 1914)
- Russia, who had an alliance with Serbia, sends support to fight Austria (July 31)
- Germany, who had an alliance with Austria, declares war against Serbia&Russia (August 1)
- France also orders general mobilization, fighting against Germany.
- Britain helps defend French coast against the Germans. The Entente between Britain and France meant that Britain would help defend but not attack. Later, Britain declared war on Germany when Germany invaded neutral Belgium. (August 4)
Causes of WWI
Reply