Causes of WWI
Imperialism-
Before WW1 Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention among the European countries. The increasing competition and desire for greater empire led to tan increase in confrontation that helped push the world into world war I Alliances- Countries throughout Europe made mutual defense agreements that would pull them into battle. If one country was attacked allied countries were bound to defend them. Before WWI alliances existed in; -Russia and Serbia -Germany and Austria-Hungary -France and Russia -Britain and France and Belgium -Japan and Britain Austria-Hungary declared was on Serbia. Russia got involved and defended Serbia. Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared declared war on Russia. France was drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan entered the war later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the allies. Militarism- As the world entered the 20th century, an arms race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military build up. Great Britain and Germany and Russia particularly, the military establishment began to have a greater influence on public policy. Thus increase in militarism helped push the countries involved to war. Nationalism- Mush of the origin of the was was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria-Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. In this way, nationalism led directly to the war. But in a more general way the nationalism of various countries throughout Europe contributed not only to the beginning but the extension of the war in Europe. Each country tried to prove their dominance and power. Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand- In June 1914, a Serbian nationalist assassinated him and his wife while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia which was apart of Austria. The assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring was on Serbia. When Russia began to mobilize due to its alliance with Serbia Germany declared was on Russia. Thus began the expansion of the war to include all those involved in the mutual defense alliances. |