The Lead Up to World War I: Imperialism, Alliances, and the July Crisis

🌍 The European powers engaged in imperialism to expand their influence globally, particularly in Africa, to enhance their political and economic power.

⚖️ The accession of Wilhelm II disrupted the balance of power in Europe and contributed to the tensions and conflicts leading up to the First World War.

💥 The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was the final trigger that ignited the First World War.

🌍 Otto von Bismarck prioritized the creation of a strong German empire in Europe.

🤝 Bismarck implemented a system of alliances to isolate France and prevent a two-front war.

🗺️ The acquisition of a German colony in 1884 marked a shift in Bismarck's stance on colonialism.

📜 In 1887, Bismarck negotiated a secret agreement with Russia for neutrality in a defense war.

🌍 Kaiser Wilhelm II pursued an imperial foreign policy and aimed to make Germany a global power.

💥 The expiration of the reinsurance treaty with Russia led to alliances forming against Germany.

The Balkans experienced significant changes and conflicts between 1870 and 1914, with the weakening of the Ottoman Empire and the striving for independence by Balkan peoples.

Russia aimed to support the establishment of a larger Slavic empire, while Austria-Hungary sought to prevent Russian dominance and annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Balkans became a powder keg, leading to two Balkan Wars and the loss of Ottoman territories. The Austro-Russian rivalry in the region became a catalyst for the start of World War I.

🌍 The assassination of the Austrian heir Franz Ferdinand triggered the start of World War I.

🤝 Germany and Austria-Hungary formed one alliance, while France, Great Britain, and Russia formed another.

⚔️ Austro-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which ultimately led to the declaration of war.

🌍 The economic boom and growing imperialism led to a competition among world powers for global dominance.

🤝 The European alliance system created by Bismarck was destroyed, leaving Germany isolated.

🔥 The German government's support for Austria-Hungary's aggressive actions against Serbia fueled the July Crisis and triggered the start of World War I.

🌍 The video explains the factors that led to the outbreak of World War I.

🗺️ Imperialism and competition over colonies were major causes of the war.

💣 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the July Crisis and led to the start of the war.