Militarism
What is the glorification of the military that grew in competing countries and fueled an arms race in Europe?
militarism
What were the two main alliance systems in Europe before WWI?
The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.
What is imperialism?
When a stronger nation takes control of weaker nations or territories to build an empire.
Define nationalism.
Strong pride, loyalty, or devotion to one’s nation or ethnic group.
Whose assassination started WWI?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
By 1914, which two nations had the largest standing armies in Europe?
Germany and Russia
Name two countries in the Triple Alliance.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
Why did European nations compete for colonies?
To gain raw materials, new markets, and greater global power and prestige.
How did nationalism threaten the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
Many ethnic groups within the empire wanted independence, which weakened unity and stability.
In what city did the assassination take place?
Sarajevo, Bosnia.
How did the arms race contribute to the outbreak of World War I?
The contest between Germany and Britain at sea and between Germany, France, and Russia on land guaranteed one important thing: The next major war would involve more troops and more technologically advanced weapons than ever before.
Countries built up massive militaries and stockpiles of weapons, making war more likely and creating tension and fear.
Name two countries in the Triple Entente.
France, Russia, and Great Britain.
How did imperialism increase tension between Great Britain and Germany?
Both nations competed for overseas colonies and trade dominance, especially in Africa and Asia.
What role did Serbia play in rising nationalist tensions?
Serbia encouraged Slavic nationalism and wanted to unite all Slavic peoples, including those under Austrian rule.
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Gavrilo Princip.
What new weapons or military technologies were being developed before WWI?
Machine guns, mobile artillery, tanks, submarines (u-boats), and airplanes would change the nature of warfare.
How did the alliance system turn a small conflict into a world war?
When one nation was attacked, its allies were pulled into the conflict, causing a chain reaction across Europe.
What region was known as the “powder keg of Europe”?
The Balkans.
Who was Gavrilo Princip, and what was his goal?
A Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand to promote Slavic independence.
What was the Black Hand, and what did they want?
A secret Serbian nationalist group that wanted to unite all Slavs and break free from Austria-Hungary.
Why did European countries believe a strong military was necessary for peace?
They believed that having powerful armies would deter attacks — a concept called “peace through strength.”
What was the “blank check” Germany gave Austria-Hungary?
Germany promised full support to Austria-Hungary after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, even if it meant war with Russia.
How did conflicts in Africa and Asia contribute to the start of WWI?
Imperial rivalries created resentment and competition among European powers, increasing hostility and distrust.
How did nationalism both unify and divide European countries?
It unified people within powerful nations (like Germany and Italy) but divided multiethnic empires (like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire).
Outline the “domino effect” that followed the assassination.
Austria-Hungary demanded Serbia's cooperation in an investigation into the assassination → Serbia did not agree → Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia → Russia mobilized to defend Serbia → Germany declared war on Russia and France → Britain declared war on Germany after the invasion of Belgium.