History > Key Stage 3

The Causes of World War I

Alliance System

There were two rival alliances that caused tensions upto 1914:

• Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy
• Triple Entente – France, Britain, Russia

Arms Race – the build up of weapons/ships as the prospect of war grew. Germany and Britain tried to outdo each other.

Britain built a new modern battleship called Dreadnoughts. Britain wanted to maintain her naval supremacy for the defence of the empire. German Kaiser wants a powerful navy like Britain's.

Planning for war

Schlieffen Plan – German plan of attack – 1905 – to attack France through Belgium before attacking Russia.
Plan 17 – the French plan to recapture Alsace Lorraine.
British Expeditionary Force – B.E.F. –set up in case of war breaking out – 150,000 men.
Russia/Austria – mobilise armies by 1909.

Tension Rises

First Moroccan Crisis, 1905 – France wants to add Morocco to its empire. France wanted Morocco as it was at the entrance to the Meditteranaean Sea and could be used to stop German ships entering. Germany objects to see if France/Britain would start a war and to test the strength of their entente. Britain and France stuck together so Kaiser had to back down. War avoided but tensions rise and the Kaiser looks for revenge.

Second Morroccan Crisis, 1911 – French troops in Morocco are attacked by Moroccan rebels. Germany says France still wants to take over and help the rebels by sending a gunboat to Agadir in Morocco .Britain sends gunboats in response. Germany backs down fearing war.

The Balkans

A poor area of Europe where different nationalities are ruled as ‘colonies’ by other countries causing resentment.
Other countries were jealous and wanted to have power in the area (e.g. Russia).

Serbia (an independent country) stirs up trouble by supporting small weak countries against Austria – Hungary in particular.
1908 – Austria seizes Bosnia and Herzegonia. They object saying they want to joun up with Serbia. Russia critcises Austria.

First Balkan War – Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro form the Balkan League and attack the Turks who are defeated. This upsets Austria.

Second Balkan War – members of the Balkan League quarrel amongst themselves. Serbia becomes more powerful which upsets Austria.

The Outbreak of War

Serbia is powerful and there is a group called The Black Hand want to stop Austrian influence. The Austrian heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visits Bosnia. The Black Hand see this as an attempt to take over their neighbours. They plan to assassinate Franz Ferrdinand. This happens and war becomes much closer.

1914: War Breaks Out

• 23 July – Austria demands the right to invade Serbia.
• 28 July – Serbia refuses to hand over those who assassinated Franz Ferdinand.
• 29 July – Serbia asks Russia for help who agree.
• 30 July – Grmany – Austria’s ally order Russia to back off.
• 1 August – Russia refuses.Germany declares war on them.
• 3 August – France mobilizes troops.
• Germany sends troops to attack France through Belgium.
• 4 August Britain has an agreement to help Belgium if its attacked. It declares war on Germany.
• 5 August – Austria declares war on Russia.
  
  World War One has begun.