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Important People, Places, and Things
People: Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Places: Europe
Things: alliances, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, The Allies, The Central Powers
People: Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Places: Europe
Things: alliances, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, The Allies, The Central Powers
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Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances
When World War I, or the Great War, began in 1914, the United States was not immediately involved. In Europe, many nations were at odds with one another for many reasons. Many of the nations were practicing imperialism and trying to spread their power to other parts of the world. There was also a great deal of nationalism at this time, meaning that many of the people within these countries were demonstrating a great deal of pride in their country. (Think of it like this- during different sports seasons, people have a favorite team. Everyone wants THEIR team to beat the other teams, and they think that their team is the BEST. That's what nationalism was. People felt very strongly that their country was the best!) Because of these strong feelings of nationalism, and countries trying to spread their empire, many of these European countries turned to militarism, which means growing their military to help take what they wanted by force. They also created alliances with other nations that wanted the same things. They thought that if they worked together, they would be more successful. However, this also created major rivalries in Europe!
When World War I, or the Great War, began in 1914, the United States was not immediately involved. In Europe, many nations were at odds with one another for many reasons. Many of the nations were practicing imperialism and trying to spread their power to other parts of the world. There was also a great deal of nationalism at this time, meaning that many of the people within these countries were demonstrating a great deal of pride in their country. (Think of it like this- during different sports seasons, people have a favorite team. Everyone wants THEIR team to beat the other teams, and they think that their team is the BEST. That's what nationalism was. People felt very strongly that their country was the best!) Because of these strong feelings of nationalism, and countries trying to spread their empire, many of these European countries turned to militarism, which means growing their military to help take what they wanted by force. They also created alliances with other nations that wanted the same things. They thought that if they worked together, they would be more successful. However, this also created major rivalries in Europe!
The Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand
There were some alliances in Europe at this time that were very heated! The Austrian Archduke was visiting Bosnia in 1914, where many of the Serbians were angry. The Serbians were proud nationalists who were currently under the control of Austria-Hungary, and Austria-Hungary was trying to keep Serbia from breaking away and creating its own empire. While the Austrian Archduke was visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia, an assassin from Serbia named Gavrilo Princip shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After his assassination, many of the countries in Europe began to take sides about what happened. Did Serbia have the right to defend itself by assassinating another country's soon-to-be leader, or were they attacking another country with no just cause?
There were some alliances in Europe at this time that were very heated! The Austrian Archduke was visiting Bosnia in 1914, where many of the Serbians were angry. The Serbians were proud nationalists who were currently under the control of Austria-Hungary, and Austria-Hungary was trying to keep Serbia from breaking away and creating its own empire. While the Austrian Archduke was visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia, an assassin from Serbia named Gavrilo Princip shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After his assassination, many of the countries in Europe began to take sides about what happened. Did Serbia have the right to defend itself by assassinating another country's soon-to-be leader, or were they attacking another country with no just cause?
The Alliances are Formed! War Begins!
By August 4th, 1914, almost all of the major countries in Europe were at war and had picked a side! The team known as "The Allies" was made up of the Great Britain, France, Serbia, and Russia. Their opponents, known as the "Central Powers" were Germany and Austria- Hungary. Though other countries would later also be dragged into this conflict, when the war began these countries were the two sides who led us into the Great War!
By August 4th, 1914, almost all of the major countries in Europe were at war and had picked a side! The team known as "The Allies" was made up of the Great Britain, France, Serbia, and Russia. Their opponents, known as the "Central Powers" were Germany and Austria- Hungary. Though other countries would later also be dragged into this conflict, when the war began these countries were the two sides who led us into the Great War!
The countries in PURPLE were the "The Allies" and the countries in RED were the "Central Powers". Eventually, Italy and the Ottoman Empire would join the Central Powers, while the Untied States would join The Allies.
The poster on the left is from Great Britain during the beginning of World War I. This war was going to be a TOUGH one, so they used nationalism in their propaganda to try and convince their other territories to send troops to help fight. Great Britain's empire included Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand, and they knew that if they wanted to be successful, they would have to have help from the other countries they controlled.