GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- KS3 History
- Why did the First World War begin?
Why did the First World War begin?
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
In the summer of 1914 a murder in Sarajevo set off a war that drew in the great powers of Europe and their empires.
Long-term causes: MAIN
Militarism: countries built up armies and navies. Britain and Germany raced to build Dreadnought battleships.
Alliances: Europe split into the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).
Imperialism: rivalry over empires and colonies.
Nationalism: strong pride in your own country, and groups like the Serbs wanting their own nation.
Alliances: Europe split into the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).
Imperialism: rivalry over empires and colonies.
Nationalism: strong pride in your own country, and groups like the Serbs wanting their own nation.
The trigger
On 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was shot in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb.
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and declared war on it. Russia backed Serbia; Germany backed Austria-Hungary; France was allied to Russia.
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and declared war on it. Russia backed Serbia; Germany backed Austria-Hungary; France was allied to Russia.
Britain joins
Germany's plan (the Schlieffen Plan) was to defeat France quickly by going through Belgium.
Britain had promised in 1839 to protect Belgium's neutrality. When Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on 4 August 1914.
Britain had promised in 1839 to protect Belgium's neutrality. When Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on 4 August 1914.
How did the alliance system turn a local crisis into a world war?
- Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination.
- Russia supported Serbia, so Germany, Austria-Hungary's ally, declared war on Russia, and then on its ally France.
- Germany's attack through Belgium brought in Britain, along with its empire.
Answer: Alliances meant each declaration of war pulled in another great power.
MAIN: militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism. Triple Entente against Triple Alliance. Franz Ferdinand shot in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Germany invaded Belgium; Britain declared war on 4 August 1914.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.