World History Unit IV Chapter XIII: The Great War
Marching Toward War
❖ Militarism-a policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always
prepared for war
❖ Triple Alliance-a military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy in the
years preceding World War I
❖ Kaiser Wilhelm II-the emperor of Germany and Prussia from 1888 to 1918 and was one
of most recognizable public figures in World War I
❖ Triple Entente-a military alliance between Great Britain, France, and Russia in the years
preceding World War II
In the 20th century, a rivalry developed among Europe’s Great Powers which were Germany,
Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. There were many reasons why there
was so much tension between the European countries such as territorial disputes.
In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed when Kaiser Wilhelm II took the throne. He was
two years early from becoming emperor since he forced Bismark to resign and ruled as a
stubborn and impulsive leader. Wilhelm built up the German navy to challenge Britain on
having the mightiest army. He also led the nation’s treaty with Russia lapse and had Russia
form a defensive army as a response.
Militarism - policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war
- led to an arms race and formation of large standing arms and,
eventually, military alliances
Triple Alliance (1882) - crafted by Bismark that made Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
military allies
- created an unstable alliance that tried to isolate France
Triple Entente (1907) - alliance among Britain, France, and Russia
- established two rival camps in Europe in which any dispute could draw
the entire continent into war
Nationalism - a deep devotion to one’s nation
- Germany proud of military power and industrialization
- France bitter over Franco-Prussian War and loss of Alsace and Lorraine
- Austria-Hungary feared Slavic rebellion
- demands for independence in Balkans-”power keg” in Europe
Imperialism - a quest for colonies
- intensified sense of rivalry and mistrust as European nations competed
for colonies in Asia and Africa
Assassination in - Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife
Sarajevo assassinated by Serbian nationalist
- provided Austria-Hungary an excuse to go to war against Serbia
- Austria-Hungary gives Serbia ultimatum
- Serbia refuses some of the term
, - Austrian-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Europe Plunges into War
❖ Central Powers-in World War I, the nations of Germany and Austria-Hungary, along with
the other nations that fought on their sides
❖ Allies-in World War I, the nations of Great Britain, France, and Russia, along with the
other nations that fought on their side; also, the group of nations-including Great Britain
and the Soviet Union, and the United States-that opposed the Axis Powers in World War
II
❖ Western Front-in World War I, the region of northern France where the forces of the
Allies and the Central Powers battled each other
❖ Schlieffen Plan-Germany’s military plan at the outbreak of World War I, according
❖ Trench Warfare-a form of warfare in which opposing armies fight each other from
trenches dug in the battlefield
❖ Eastern Front-in World War I, the region along the German-Russian border where
Russians and Serbs battled Germans, Austrians, and Turks
Russia, an ally of Serbia, began moving its army toward the Russian-Austrian border in
response to Austria’s declaration of war. The nation came to France for help when Germany
declared war against them but Germany did not give France time to act. After that, Great
Britain declared war on Germany, making most of Europe ready to battle.
One of the sides was the Central Powers which were Germany and Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and Ottoman Empire would join later on. The other side was the Allies, Great Britain, France,
and Russia and later on, Japan, the United States, and Italy since Italy accused the other side of
unjustly starting the war.
Fall of 1914 comes quickly and the war has turned into a long and bloody battlefield in France.
During this time, Germany was facing war on two fronts, the Western Front and the Eastern
Front. So, the nation developed a battle strategy called the Schlieffen Plan, in which the goal is
to avoid a two-front war by defeating France quickly by quickly attacking them and going
through Neutral Belgium. After that, go back to Russia to capitalize on their weakness; lack of
industrialization and railroads which are difficult to mobilize.
Causes Effects
Russia mobilizes along the - Germany declares war on Russia and France
German border
Germany declares war on - Germany invades Belgium which makes Britain declare war on
France Germany
The Allies defeat the Germans - Allies attack advancing on Germans
Marching Toward War
❖ Militarism-a policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always
prepared for war
❖ Triple Alliance-a military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy in the
years preceding World War I
❖ Kaiser Wilhelm II-the emperor of Germany and Prussia from 1888 to 1918 and was one
of most recognizable public figures in World War I
❖ Triple Entente-a military alliance between Great Britain, France, and Russia in the years
preceding World War II
In the 20th century, a rivalry developed among Europe’s Great Powers which were Germany,
Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. There were many reasons why there
was so much tension between the European countries such as territorial disputes.
In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed when Kaiser Wilhelm II took the throne. He was
two years early from becoming emperor since he forced Bismark to resign and ruled as a
stubborn and impulsive leader. Wilhelm built up the German navy to challenge Britain on
having the mightiest army. He also led the nation’s treaty with Russia lapse and had Russia
form a defensive army as a response.
Militarism - policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war
- led to an arms race and formation of large standing arms and,
eventually, military alliances
Triple Alliance (1882) - crafted by Bismark that made Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
military allies
- created an unstable alliance that tried to isolate France
Triple Entente (1907) - alliance among Britain, France, and Russia
- established two rival camps in Europe in which any dispute could draw
the entire continent into war
Nationalism - a deep devotion to one’s nation
- Germany proud of military power and industrialization
- France bitter over Franco-Prussian War and loss of Alsace and Lorraine
- Austria-Hungary feared Slavic rebellion
- demands for independence in Balkans-”power keg” in Europe
Imperialism - a quest for colonies
- intensified sense of rivalry and mistrust as European nations competed
for colonies in Asia and Africa
Assassination in - Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife
Sarajevo assassinated by Serbian nationalist
- provided Austria-Hungary an excuse to go to war against Serbia
- Austria-Hungary gives Serbia ultimatum
- Serbia refuses some of the term
, - Austrian-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Europe Plunges into War
❖ Central Powers-in World War I, the nations of Germany and Austria-Hungary, along with
the other nations that fought on their sides
❖ Allies-in World War I, the nations of Great Britain, France, and Russia, along with the
other nations that fought on their side; also, the group of nations-including Great Britain
and the Soviet Union, and the United States-that opposed the Axis Powers in World War
II
❖ Western Front-in World War I, the region of northern France where the forces of the
Allies and the Central Powers battled each other
❖ Schlieffen Plan-Germany’s military plan at the outbreak of World War I, according
❖ Trench Warfare-a form of warfare in which opposing armies fight each other from
trenches dug in the battlefield
❖ Eastern Front-in World War I, the region along the German-Russian border where
Russians and Serbs battled Germans, Austrians, and Turks
Russia, an ally of Serbia, began moving its army toward the Russian-Austrian border in
response to Austria’s declaration of war. The nation came to France for help when Germany
declared war against them but Germany did not give France time to act. After that, Great
Britain declared war on Germany, making most of Europe ready to battle.
One of the sides was the Central Powers which were Germany and Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and Ottoman Empire would join later on. The other side was the Allies, Great Britain, France,
and Russia and later on, Japan, the United States, and Italy since Italy accused the other side of
unjustly starting the war.
Fall of 1914 comes quickly and the war has turned into a long and bloody battlefield in France.
During this time, Germany was facing war on two fronts, the Western Front and the Eastern
Front. So, the nation developed a battle strategy called the Schlieffen Plan, in which the goal is
to avoid a two-front war by defeating France quickly by quickly attacking them and going
through Neutral Belgium. After that, go back to Russia to capitalize on their weakness; lack of
industrialization and railroads which are difficult to mobilize.
Causes Effects
Russia mobilizes along the - Germany declares war on Russia and France
German border
Germany declares war on - Germany invades Belgium which makes Britain declare war on
France Germany
The Allies defeat the Germans - Allies attack advancing on Germans
