World War I Begins 5:World War I and the Russian Revolution

The Triple Entente

A rival bloc took shape in 1893, when France and Russia signed a secret treaty. France was eager to end its isolation and balance the growing power of Germany. In 1904, France and Britain signed an entente (ahn TAHNT), a nonbinding agreement to follow common policies. Though not as formal as a treaty, the entente led to close military and diplomatic ties. Britain later signed a similar agreement with Russia, creating the Triple Entente. When the war began, these powers became known as the Allies. Britain and France had been rivals for hundreds of years, and France had invaded Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. Still, these three powers joined together in the Triple Entente because they feared Germany wanted to dominate Europe.

Russia and France Support Serbia

After receiving Austria's ultimatum, Serbia turned to its ally, Russia. From St. Petersburg, Nicholas II telegraphed William II. The tsar asked the kaiser to urge Austria to soften its demands. When this plea failed, Russia began to mobilize, or prepare its military forces for war. On August 1, Germany responded by declaring war on Russia. Russia, in turn, appealed to its ally France. In Paris, nationalists saw a chance to avenge France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Though French leaders had some doubts, they gave Russia the same kind of backing Germany offered to Austria. When Germany demanded that France keep out of the conflict, France refused. Germany then declared war on France.

Nationalism

Aggressive nationalism also caused tension. Nationalism was strong in both Germany and France. Germans were proud of their new empire's military power and industrial leadership. The French were bitter about their 1871 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and yearned to recover the parts of the border provinces of Alsace and Lorraine that had been taken in the war. In Eastern Europe, Russia sponsored a powerful form of nationalism called Pan-Slavism. It held that all Slavic peoples shared a common nationality. As the largest Slavic country, Russia felt that it had a duty to lead and defend all Slavs. By 1914, it stood ready to support Serbia, a proud young Slavic nation, against any threat. Two old multinational empires particularly feared rising nationalism. Austria-Hungary worried that nationalism might foster rebellion among the many minority populations within its empire. Ottoman Turkey felt threatened by nearby new nations, such as Serbia. If realized, Serbia's dream of a South Slav state could take territory away from both Austria-Hungary and Turkey. In 1912, several Balkan states—Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro—attacked Turkey and succeeded in taking a large area of land away from Turkish control. The next year, they fought among themselves over the spoils of war. These brief but bloody Balkan wars raised tensions to a fever pitch. By 1914, the Balkans were called the "powder keg of Europe"—a barrel of gunpowder that a tiny spark might cause to explode.

The Balkan Powder Keg Explodes

As Bismarck had predicted, the Great War began in Eastern Europe. A regional conflict between tiny Serbia and the huge empire of Austria-Hungary grew rapidly into a general war that would mark one of history's significant turning points.

How did Germany's invasion of Belgium bring Britain into the war?

Belgium was a neutral country that did not want to be involved in war. Britain had signed a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality. After Germany violated Belgium's neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany.

Germany Marches Through Belgium

By early August, the battle lines were hardening. Italy and Britain still remained uncommitted. Italy chose to stay neutral for the time being. Neutrality is a policy of supporting neither side in a war. Britain had to decide quickly whether or not to support its ally France. Then, Germany's war plans suddenly made the decision for Britain. Germany's worst fear was a war on two fronts, with France attacking from the west and Russia from the east. Years earlier, General Alfred Schlieffen (SHLEE fun) had developed a strategy to avoid a two-front war. Schlieffen reasoned that Russia's lumbering military would be slow to mobilize. Under the Schlieffen Plan, Germany first had to defeat France quickly. Then it would concentrate its forces against Russia. To ensure a swift victory in the west, the Schlieffen Plan required German armies to march through neutral Belgium and then swing south behind French lines. The goal was to encircle and crush France's army. The Germans embarked on the plan by invading Belgium on August 3.

How did imperialism heighten tensions in Europe?

Countries with overseas empires needed a strong military to protect their colonies from other imperial powers. So, they increased the size of their navies and armies. Each country competed to have the most powerful force. This arms race made countries more tense and nervous.

Nations Form Alliances

Despite efforts to ensure peace, the late 1800s saw growing rivalries among the great powers of Europe, including Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia. In an atmosphere of fear and distrust, the great powers set out to protect themselves by forming alliances. Nations signed treaties pledging to defend each other. These alliances were intended to create powerful combinations that no one would dare attack. Gradually, two rival alliances evolved.

Major Causes of World War I

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, tensions were increasing among the great powers of Europe. Aggressive nationalism, economic competition, imperialism, militarism, and an arms race all helped fuel an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust.

Economic and Imperial Rivalry

Economic rivalries helped sour the international atmosphere. Germany, the newest of the great powers, was growing into an economic and military powerhouse. Britain felt threatened by Germany's rapid growth. Germany, in turn, thought the other great powers did not give it enough respect. It also worried about future economic competition from Russia, which had a huge population and vast natural resources. Imperialism also divided European nations. In 1905 and again in 1911, competition for colonies brought France and Germany to the brink of war in Morocco, then under France's influence. Although diplomats kept the peace, Germany did gain some territory in central Africa. As a result of the two Moroccan crises, Britain and France strengthened their ties against Germany.

What action by Germany brought Britain into the war?

Germany invaded the neutral country of Belgium in order to attack France.

What were the two main alliances and which countries were in them?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Central Powers. Britain, France, and Russia formed the Allied Powers.

Whose Fault?

How did an assassination lead to an all-out war in just a few weeks? During the war, each side blamed the other. Afterward, the victorious Allies blamed Germany. Today, most historians agree that all parties must share blame for a catastrophe nobody wanted. Each great power believed its cause was just. Austria wanted to punish Serbia for encouraging terrorism. Germany felt that it must stand by its one dependable ally, Austria. Russia saw the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia as an effort to oppress Slavic peoples. France feared that if it did not support Russia, it would have to face Germany alone later. Britain felt committed to protect Belgium, but also feared the growing power of Germany. Once the machinery of war was set in motion with the Austrian ultimatum and mobilization of troops, political leaders could no longer save the peace. Although government leaders made the decisions, most people on both sides were committed to military action. Young men rushed to enlist, cheered on by women and their elders. Now that war had come, at last, it seemed an exciting adventure. British diplomat Edward Grey was less optimistic. As armies began to move, he predicted, "The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."

World War I Begins

Imperialism drove many countries to compete against each other for new lands and resources. For decades, this effort was focused in places such as Africa and Asia. Soon, this competition began to boil over in Europe, the home of five global powers: France, Russia, Britain, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. These nations formed alliances with one another to try to prevent war, but these alliances actually became a cause of World War I.

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How did the alliance system spread the original conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia into a general war involving many countries?

In the alliance system, countries were expected to come to each other's aid in time of war. This meant that as soon as Austria-Hungary and Serbia went to war, all the countries with which they were allied were also likely to get involved in the conflict. Russia, Germany, France, and Britain entered the war because of alliances and agreements that they had with other countries.

How did Austria's alliance system influence Austria's decision to send Serbia an ultimatum?

Kaiser William advised his ally Austria to take a firm stand. He said that Germany would support Austria in a war no matter what the cost.

How does the data in the chart support the idea that militarism was on the rise?

Most of the European countries on the graph had extremely large military forces.

consider the reasons nations felt the need to have alliances and how the alliance system could backfire.

Nations felt the need to have alliances in case they were dealing with a threat they couldn't handle military or otherwise. This system of alliances could backfire as one of the allies could start a war unannounced and cause the other allies to back them up unprepared.

European Powers Form Alliances

Not everyone was so hopeful. "I shall not live to see the Great War," warned German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, "but you will see it, and it will start in the east." It was Bismarck's prediction, rather than Passy's, that came true.

Other Alliances

Other states were drawn into alliances. Germany signed a treaty with the Ottoman empire. As early as 1867, Britain had signed a treaty to protect Belgium's right to remain neutral in any European conflict. Italy had a secret treaty with France not to attack it. And Russia had agreed to protect Serbia. Britain forged ties with Japan. Rather than easing tensions, the growth of rival alliance systems made governments increasingly nervous. A local conflict could mushroom into a general war. In 1914, that threat became a reality.

Why did Austria-Hungary and Germany go to war against Serbia?

Slavic, and particularly Serbian, nationalism had been a threat to Austria-Hungary for many years. Because Austria-Hungary and Germany were allies, a threat to one was also a threat to the other. The German rivalry with Russia meant that it did not want Russia's ally—Serbia—to be strong. German militarism meant that Germany was prepared and even eager for a war.

How did a single event start a chain reaction that sparked World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand sparked World War I. It caused a chain event that escalated out of control because countries were driven by the alliance system, militarism, and nationalism.

Archduke Francis Ferdinand Is Assassinated

The crisis began when Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary announced that he would visit Sarajevo (sa ruh YAY voh), the capital of Bosnia. Francis Ferdinand was the nephew and heir of the aging Austrian emperor, Francis Joseph. At the time of his visit, Bosnia was under the rule of Austria-Hungary. But it was also the home of many Serbs and other Slavs. News of the royal visit angered many Serbian nationalists. They viewed the Austrians as foreign oppressors. Some members of Unity or Death, a Serbian terrorist group commonly known as the Black Hand, vowed to take action. The archduke ignored warnings of anti-Austrian unrest in Sarajevo. On June 28, 1914, he and his wife, Sophie, rode through Sarajevo in an open car. As the car passed by, a conspirator named Gavrilo Princip (GAV ree loh PREEN tseep) seized his chance and fired twice into the car. Moments later, the archduke and his wife were dead.

The Triple Alliance

The first major alliance had its origins in Bismarck's day. He knew that France longed to avenge its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Sure that France would not attack Germany without help, Bismarck signed treaties with other powers. By 1882, Germany had formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary. Although Bismarck had previously signed an alliance with Russia, Kaiser William II did not preserve that alliance, leaving Russia free to seek other allies. In 1914, when war did erupt, Germany and Austria-Hungary fought on the same side. They became known as the Central Powers.

Militarism and the Arms Race

The late 1800s saw a rise in militarism, or the glorification of the military. Under militarism, the armed forces and readiness for war came to dominate national policy. Militarists painted war in romantic colors. Young men dreamed of blaring trumpets and dashing cavalry charges—not at all the sort of conflict they would soon face. With international tensions on the rise, the great powers began to build up their armies and navies. The fiercest competition was the naval rivalry between Britain and Germany. To protect its vast overseas empire, Britain had built the world's most respected navy. As Germany began acquiring overseas colonies, it began to build up its own navy. Suspicious of Germany's motives, Britain in turn increased naval spending. Newspapers dramatized the arms race and stirred national public opinion against rival countries. The arms race helped military leaders gain influence. On matters of peace and war, civilian governments turned to military leaders for advice. Germany generals and British admirals enjoyed great respect and got more funds to build up their forces. As militarism and the arms race fed each other, tensions grew.

How does this map help explain the expansion of World War I from a localized to a global war?

The map shows the alliances in place in Europe, which caused additional countries to become involved in the war that began with a dispute between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.

What view of the Balkans does this cartoon present?

The perspective of this cartoon is that the Balkans is a dangerous place that the larger European powers cannot control.

The Alliance System Leads to War

The war between Austria and Serbia might have been another "summer war," like most European wars of the previous century. However, the carefully planned alliances soon drew the great powers into the conflict.

Austria Declares War on Serbia

When news of the assassination of Francis Ferdinand reached Vienna, the government of Emperor Francis Joseph blamed Serbia. Austria-Hungary believed that Serbia would stop at nothing to achieve its goal of a South Slav empire. Austria decided its only course was to punish Serbia. In Berlin, Kaiser William II was horrified at the assassination. He wrote to Francis Joseph, advising him to take a firm stand toward Serbia. Instead of urging restraint, Germany gave Austria a "blank check," or permission to undertake whatever action it chose. For weeks, diplomats shuttled notes among the great powers, trying to head off a conflict. Backed by Germany, however, Austria-Hungary sent Serbia a harsh ultimatum or final set of demands. To avoid war, said the ultimatum, Serbia must end all anti-Austrian agitation and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder plot. It must even let Austria join in the investigation. Austria-Hungary gave Serbia 48 hours to reply. Serbia agreed to most, but not all, of the terms of Austria's ultimatum. This partial refusal gave Austria the opportunity it was seeking. On July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia.

Why did the European nations form opposing alliances?

because they had different motivations and goals

What event sparked World War I?

the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis (also known as Franz) Ferdinand by a Serbian