Causes of World War I Essay
Causes of World War I Essay : World War I (1914-198) also called by several Anglophone authors as the “ Great War” was an international armed conflict characterized by widespread violence that embroiled most of the European nations including Russia, the United States of America, the Middle East and other regions. The war polarized the western world, the Central Powers- mainly Germany, Austria-Hungry and Turkey against the Allies comprising mainly France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and Japan. The United States steadily involved itself in the war from 1917. The war that brought about unprecedented carnage, slaughter and annihilation ended with the fall of the Central Powers.
The various causes that led to the outbreak of World War I are discussed below as follows:
Discussion
Interdependent Defense Alliances
Historically, the European countries made mutual defence agreements that would call any of the allied countries into battle. According to the treaties made, a country would have to engage in war if its alliance was attacked by enemies.
Prior to World War I, the following alliances existed :
i) Russia and Serbia
ii) Germany and Austria-Hungary
iii) France and Russia
iv) Britain and France and Belgium Japan and Britain
The declaration of war by the Austria-Hungarian alliance upon Serbia compelled the Serbian alliance Russia to retaliate. Germany, seizing the opportunity of a war-entangled Russia, launched an offensive against the nation. In turn, France was drawn into the war to comply with the terms of the Franco-Russian treaty. Germany responded by attacking France through Belgium, drawing Great Britain into the war. Japan, as a colony of Britain, was automatically pulled into the inter-nation conflict. The United States of America and Italy joined the allied forces later.
Imperialism
Imperialism refers to the expansionist tendencies of countries to increase their wealth and power by annexing additional territories under their administration. Prior to World War I Africa and Asia were regions of contention for European countries. The primary reasons for contention were natural resources and regions for military strategic locations. The desire for empires led to escalated rates of conflicts between the nations fueling World War I.
Militarism
The initial phases of the early 20th Century witnessed the inception of an arms race between nations. Germany had the largest army buildup which prompted Great Britain to increase its military in precaution. The military establishment began to have a greater impact on public policies in Russia.
Nationalism
The desire of the Slavic peoples to join Serbia by splitting up from Austria and Hungary led to the basis of the origin of World War I. The increasing nationalist sentiment among other European Nations was pivotal for the Great War.
Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian-nationalist Terrorist group Black Hand acted as a catalyst for all the other aforementioned reasons. The first attempt by the group to slay the Archduke failed thereby leading to a successful second attempt. The Black Hand shared Slavic sentiments with the Serbians that prompted them to separate from Austria-Hungary and annex with Serbia.
Conclusion
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the catalyst of the first World War. The Great War brought about unprecedented destruction in the form of losses of life, natural resources, ruins of both public and private properties and a complete alteration of the human condition. As a consequence, the world witnessed an increase in the military establishment, extensive trench wars, development of deadly weapons and technology. The unchecked greed for wealth and territory only paved the way for the Second World War.
FAQs
Q1.When did World War I occur?
Ans: World War I began in July 1914 and ended in November 1918.
Q2. Name the primary cause of World War I.
Ans: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian-Nationalist Terrorist group, The Black Hand.
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