History Soars at Pheonix  

The Road to World War I

 

Causes of WWI

 

Europe experienced _____________ from the 1870s through the early 1900s.  However, the following powerful forces were pushing Europe towards _______:

 

A_____________   I_____________     M_____________              N_____________

 

1. Alliances

Europe was made up of a system of _________________ that kept the ___________________________ in Europe. 

 

Nations agreed to __________ each other if attacked. 

 

This meant that a war between two nations could ____________________ into a global conflict.

 

 

Rival Alliances in 1914

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Imperialism

The European powers, Russia, and Japan competed for __________________ power in the 1800s. 

 

France and Germany competed for ______________ gains in Africa, while Britain and Germany competed _____________.

 

Because of their mutual __________________ with Germany, Britain and France formed close ties with each other.

3. Militarism

During the 1800s ____________________ had increased around the world, making nations eager to use military force.

 

Most nations had built massive __________ and ____________ with the latest technology.  Britain and Germany had the biggest __________ race.

 

 

4. Nationalism

Aggressive _________________ was the source of tension throughout Europe.

France was still upset over their humiliating defeat

to _______________ in their 1871 war with Prussia.

 

Many French people wanted to take revenge against Germany, and regain _____________ and ___________________.

 

 

Russia also promoted _____________________ in the Balkans, which upset the multinational Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the “_________” Ottoman Empire. 

 

 

Because of nationalism, the region was known as the “________________________” of Europe.

 

The War Begins

 

The Spark

Not surprisingly, World War I began in Bosnia, which was the heart of the ethnically diverse ___________________ powder keg.

 

Although inhabited by many ____________, Bosnia was not ruled by Serbia, but by _________________.

 

When Francis _______________, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, traveled through Bosnia in June of 1914, he was assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo ______________. 

Princip’s assassination of Ferdinand is known as the “_________________” that started the Great War.

 

A Chain Reaction

After the assassination Kaiser Wilhelm II of ______________ gave his ally Francis Joseph of Austria-Hungary “________________________,” or a blank check of support.

 

With Germany’s support, Austria gave Serbia a harsh ___________________________, or set of demands.

 

Serbia refused to __________ with some of the demands, so Austria-Hungary declared _____ on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

 

Czar __________________ of Russia, a fellow ______________ nation and ally of Serbia, pleaded with Austria not to attack the smaller country. 

 

When the plea failed, Russia ___________________, or prepared its forces for war against Austria-Hungary.

 

In response to Russia’s mobilization against their ally Austria-Hungary, _____________ declared war on Russia.

 

Germany then declared war on ______________, another ally of Russia.

 

To get to Paris, German troops invaded neutral _________.

 

Belgium’s protection was guaranteed by ____________________, so the British joined the war against Germany.

 

The Ottoman Turks joined the Central Powers to combat ____________________________, which threatened their empire.

 

Italy joined the ________________ to gain Austrian-ruled lands that were inhabited by Italians.  

 

_____________ joined the allies and used the war as an excuse to seize ______________ outposts in China and islands in the Pacific.

 

In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany after it sunk the _____________________.

 

 

 

Major Powers in WWI