Causes of World War I

What were the real causes of World War I?

• It included politics and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.

• It included politics, secret alliances, and debt owed by other countries.

• It included politics, secret alliances, imperialism, nationalistic pride, and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.

• It was solely based on the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.

In the years leading up to the war, the nations of Europe were constantly jockeying for power and making alliances. Who was with who?

• Germany allied with Belarus. France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente. Italy formed a secret alliance with France against Germany.

• Germany allied with Austria-Hungary. France, Britain, and Greece formed the Triple Entente. Italy formed a secret alliance with France against Germany.

• Germany allied with Spain. France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente. Italy formed a secret alliance with France against Germany.

• Germany allied with Austria-Hungary. France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente. Italy formed a secret alliance with France against Germany.

What is imperialism?

• It is when a country concedes its power to someone else.

• It is when a country expands its influence and power into a large empire.

• It is when a country collapses.

• It is when a country maintains its border.

In 1914, the situation in Europe was tense. Secret alliances, internal politics, and the desire to grow empires had built up distrust and dislike between many of the European powers. All it would take was one international event and Europe would be at war.

• True

• False

When was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary?

• June 28, 1914

• June 28, 1918

• June 28, 1915

• June 28, 1939

Why did Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia?

• They didn't declare war on Serbia.

• They declared war on Serbia because Russia declared war on them.

• They believed the assassination was organized by Serbia. They also saw this as an opportunity to regain control of Serbia.

• They declared war on Serbia because France declared war on them.

How did the Austria-Hungary declaration of war on Serbia affect other European nations? How did it start WWI?

• Russia prepared for war to protect Serbia, so Germany declared war on Russia. Then Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The U.S. then declared war on Germany.

• Russia prepared for war to protect Serbia, so the Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia. Then Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. Britain the declared war on Germany.

• Russia prepared for war to protect Austria-Hungary, so Germany declared war on Russia. Then Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. Britain the declared war on Germany.

• Russia prepared for war to protect Serbia, so Germany declared war on Russia. Then Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. Britain the declared war on Germany.

Historians agree that Germany wanted to start the war because they felt they were being surrounded by enemies, so they wanted it to start sooner than later.

• True

• False

The United States was part of the war from the beginning in 1914.

• True

• False

Why did the United States try to remain neutral at the beginning of WWI?

• They didn't want to defend any other countries.

• They didn't feel like they were involved.

• They had hoped to stay out of the war altogether.

• They didn't have the means to help in a war.