APEURO APEURO Unit 8 20th Century Global Conflicts The Causes of World War I Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Why This Matters

The causes of World War I are crucial for understanding the larger period of modern European history. This conflict marked a significant turning point in world politics, leading to the downfall of empires, the rise of new global powers, and the redrawing of national borders. The AP theme of Politics and Power is particularly relevant here, as the complex system of alliances, militarism, and nationalism created an environment in which small conflicts escalated into a global catastrophe. Understanding the causes of World War I helps students analyze the complex interplay of factors that shape international relations and the consequences of unchecked nationalism and militarism.

Key Events & People

• Franz Ferdinand (1863-1914): Archduke of Austria-Hungary, whose assassination in 1914 sparked the outbreak of World War I.
• Imperialism ( Late 19th-Early 20th centuries): European powers, including Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium, competed for colonies and resources around the world, contributing to tensions and rivalries.
• Triple Entente (1907): An alliance between France, Russia, and Britain, which countered the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
• Triple Alliance (1882): An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, which aimed to counter the growing power of France and Russia.
• Militarism ( Late 19th-Early 20th centuries): The buildup of military forces and the glorification of war in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European powers.
• Nationalism ( Late 19th-Early 20th centuries): The rise of nationalist movements in various European countries, which emphasized the importance of national identity and often led to aggressive foreign policies.
• Bosnian Crisis (1908-1909): A diplomatic crisis sparked by Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to increased tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
• Agadir Crisis (1911): A diplomatic crisis sparked by Germany's attempt to establish a naval base in Morocco, which led to increased tensions between Germany and France.
• Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912): A conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire, which led to the Italian occupation of Libya and the Balkan Wars.
• Balkan Wars (1912-1913): A series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and various Balkan states, which led to the Ottoman Empire's decline and the rise of new nationalist movements.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The complex system of alliances between European powers, including the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
• Effect: The outbreak of World War I in 1914, as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Germany declared war on Russia.

• Long-term consequence: The redrawing of national borders in Europe, the rise of new global powers, and the downfall of empires.

• Cause: The buildup of military forces and the glorification of war in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European powers.

• Effect: The escalation of conflicts and the increased likelihood of war in Europe.

• Long-term consequence: The devastating impact of World War I on European society and the global economy.

• Cause: The rise of nationalist movements in various European countries.

• Effect: The increased tensions and rivalries between European powers, which contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• Long-term consequence: The redrawing of national borders in Europe and the rise of new global powers.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Militarism*: The buildup of military forces and the glorification of war in a country.
  • Example: Germany's military buildup in the early 20th century, which contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• *Nationalism*: The rise of nationalist movements in various European countries, which emphasized the importance of national identity.
  • Example: The rise of nationalist movements in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• *Imperialism*: The practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
  • Example: European powers, including Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium, competing for colonies and resources around the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• *Triple Entente*: An alliance between France, Russia, and Britain, which countered the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
  • Example: The Triple Entente's role in preventing Germany's expansion in Europe and the Middle East.
• *Triple Alliance*: An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, which aimed to counter the growing power of France and Russia.
  • Example: The Triple Alliance's role in Germany's expansion in Europe and the Middle East.
• *Bosnian Crisis*: A diplomatic crisis sparked by Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Example: The Bosnian Crisis's role in increasing tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
• *Agadir Crisis*: A diplomatic crisis sparked by Germany's attempt to establish a naval base in Morocco.
  • Example: The Agadir Crisis's role in increasing tensions between Germany and France.
• *Italo-Turkish War*: A conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire.
  • Example: The Italo-Turkish War's role in the Italian occupation of Libya and the Balkan Wars.
• *Balkan Wars*: A series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and various Balkan states.
  • Example: The Balkan Wars' role in the Ottoman Empire's decline and the rise of new nationalist movements.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance were formed in the same year.
• Correction: The Triple Entente was formed in 1907, while the Triple Alliance was formed in 1882.

• Memory trick: Think of the Triple Entente as the "good guys" (France, Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance as the "bad guys" (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy).

• What students often get wrong: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the sole cause of World War I.

• Correction: The assassination was the spark that set off a larger conflict, but it was the complex system of alliances and the buildup of military forces that led to the outbreak of war.

• Memory trick: Think of the assassination as the match that lit the fire, but the underlying tensions and rivalries as the fuel that kept the fire burning.

• What students often get wrong: The Balkan Wars were a series of conflicts between European powers.

• Correction: The Balkan Wars were a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and various Balkan states.
• Memory trick: Think of the Balkan Wars as a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and its neighbors in the Balkans.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of imperialism in the outbreak of World War I. Be sure to include specific examples and evidence from the period.
  • Possible evidence: The scramble for Africa, the Berlin Conference, the Boxer Rebellion.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of nationalism on the outbreak of World War I. Be sure to include specific examples and evidence from the period.
  • Possible evidence: The rise of nationalist movements in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European countries, the Bosnian Crisis, the Agadir Crisis.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the role of militarism in the outbreak of World War I. Be sure to include specific examples and evidence from the period.
  • Possible evidence: The buildup of military forces in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European powers, the Balkan Wars, the Italo-Turkish War.

Quick Self‑Check

1. What was the name of the alliance between France, Russia, and Britain that countered the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary?
   • Correct answer: The Triple Entente.
   • Explanation: The Triple Entente was formed in 1907 to counter the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
2. What was the name of the conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire that led to the Italian occupation of Libya?
   • Correct answer: The Italo-Turkish War.
   • Explanation: The Italo-Turkish War was a conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire that led to the Italian occupation of Libya.
3. What was the name of the diplomatic crisis sparked by Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
   • Correct answer: The Bosnian Crisis.
   • Explanation: The Bosnian Crisis was a diplomatic crisis sparked by Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ The Triple Entente was formed in 1907 to counter the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
• ⚠️ The Triple Alliance was formed in 1882 to counter the growing power of France and Russia.
• ⚠️ The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
• ⚠️ The Balkan Wars were a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and various Balkan states.
• ⚠️ The Italo-Turkish War was a conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire that led to the Italian occupation of Libya.
• ⚠️ The Bosnian Crisis was a diplomatic crisis sparked by Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• ⚠️ The Agadir Crisis was a diplomatic crisis sparked by Germany's attempt to establish a naval base in Morocco.
• ⚠️ The rise of nationalist movements in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European countries contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• ⚠️ The buildup of military forces in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other European powers contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• ⚠️ The complex system of alliances between European powers contributed to the outbreak of World War I.