World War I

Understanding the Causes of WWI

World War I (1914-1918) was caused by a combination of long-term and short-term factors. Understanding these helps explain how a regional conflict became a world war.

Long-Term Causes (MAIN)

Militarism:

• Countries built up large armies and navies
• Arms race between Britain and Germany (naval race)
• Military leaders had significant political influence
• Countries glorified war and military strength
• Conscription introduced in many countries
• Military plans made war more likely (e.g., Schlieffen Plan)

Alliances:

• Europe divided into two armed camps
• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (1882)
• Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia (1907)
• Alliances meant a small conflict could escalate
• Secret treaties created obligations
• Countries felt more confident with allies

Imperialism:

• European powers competed for colonies
• Rivalry over Africa and Asia
• Morocco Crises (1905, 1911) increased tensions
• Naval bases and trade routes contested
• National pride tied to empire size
• Economic competition for resources and markets

Nationalism:

• Extreme pride in one's nation
• Desire for independence in Balkans
• Pan-Slavism (Russia supporting Slavic peoples)
• Rivalry between nations
• Minority groups wanted self-determination
• "Powder keg of Europe" - the Balkans

The Balkans - Powder Keg of Europe

Background:

• Ottoman Empire declining ("sick man of Europe")
• Various ethnic groups wanted independence
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both wanted influence
• Serbia wanted to unite South Slavs
• Balkan Wars (1912-1913) increased tensions

Key Issues:

• Bosnia annexed by Austria-Hungary (1908)
• Serbia angry about Bosnia (wanted it for South Slavs)
• Russia supported Serbia (Pan-Slavism)
• Austria-Hungary saw Serbia as a threat
• Nationalism very strong in region

Short-Term Cause: The Assassination

Sarajevo, 28 June 1914:

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand visited Sarajevo, Bosnia
• Heir to Austrian throne
• Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip
• Princip was a Bosnian Serb nationalist
• Member of Black Hand terrorist group
• Wanted Bosnia to be part of Serbia

Austrian Response:

• Blamed Serbian government
• Issued ultimatum with harsh demands
• Serbia accepted most terms but not all
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (28 July)

The July Crisis - Chain Reaction

28 June: Assassination

28 July: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

29 July: Russia mobilizes to support Serbia

1 August: Germany declares war on Russia

3 August: Germany declares war on France

4 August: Germany invades Belgium

4 August: Britain declares war on Germany

Why did alliances drag countries in?

Russia and Serbia:

• Pan-Slavism (Russia supported Slavs)
• Russia didn't want Austria-Hungary dominating Balkans
• Russian mobilization triggered German response

Germany and Austria-Hungary:

• Triple Alliance obligations
• Germany gave "blank cheque" of support
• Germany feared encirclement by France and Russia

France and Russia:

• Triple Entente alliance
• France wanted revenge for 1871 defeat
• France feared German power

Britain:

• Triple Entente (less formal)
• German invasion of Belgium
• Treaty of London 1839 (guaranteed Belgian neutrality)
• Fear of German domination of Europe

The Schlieffen Plan

German military strategy:

• Avoid war on two fronts (France and Russia)
• Knock France out quickly (6 weeks)
• Then turn east to fight Russia
• Required invasion of Belgium (neutral)

Why it mattered:

• Made German mobilization = declaration of war
• Brought Britain into war (Belgian neutrality)
• Plan failed - France not defeated quickly
• Led to stalemate and trench warfare

Key Debates

Was Germany to blame?

• Some historians: yes (aggressive policies, Schlieffen Plan)
• Others: all powers share responsibility
• Treaty of Versailles Article 231 "War Guilt Clause"

Was war inevitable?

• Long-term tensions made war likely
• July Crisis escalated due to rigid alliance system
• Leaders could have made different choices
• Mobilization timetables reduced options

Significance

Scale of conflict:

• First "total war" involving whole societies
• Millions of casualties
• New weapons: machine guns, tanks, poison gas
• Ended four empires (German, Austrian, Russian, Ottoman)
• Changed map of Europe
• Led to conditions causing WWII