Causes of World War I
Long-Term Causes
Imperialism:
Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and makes them subject to their rule. European countries believed they were superior and it was alright to rule colonies. This led to clashes between imperialist
powers.
Militarism:
Militarism means that the army and military forces are given a high profile by the government. The growing European divide had led to an arms race between the main countries. It was not just an arms race - also an attitude of mind, which sees war as a valid means of foreign policy. Germany's Navy Law 1900 threatened British sea-power. Germany felt threatened by Russia's growing army. Hotzendorf & Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia 1914.
Nationalism:
Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. Everyone was a nationalist in those days, which helped cause war.
It made countries like Britain, Germany and France more bellicose towards each other.
Alliances:
An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if it is needed. When an alliance is signed, those countries become
known as Allies. The countries of Europe thought that the alliance system would be a deterrent to war, however it in in fact it obliged them to follow each
other to war.
Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and makes them subject to their rule. European countries believed they were superior and it was alright to rule colonies. This led to clashes between imperialist
powers.
Militarism:
Militarism means that the army and military forces are given a high profile by the government. The growing European divide had led to an arms race between the main countries. It was not just an arms race - also an attitude of mind, which sees war as a valid means of foreign policy. Germany's Navy Law 1900 threatened British sea-power. Germany felt threatened by Russia's growing army. Hotzendorf & Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia 1914.
Nationalism:
Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. Everyone was a nationalist in those days, which helped cause war.
It made countries like Britain, Germany and France more bellicose towards each other.
Alliances:
An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if it is needed. When an alliance is signed, those countries become
known as Allies. The countries of Europe thought that the alliance system would be a deterrent to war, however it in in fact it obliged them to follow each
other to war.
Spilled Blood Sparks a 'Great War'
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nephew of Emperor Franz Josef and heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was shot to death along with his wife by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914.
Archduke Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, two former Ottoman territories in the Balkan region that were annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908 to the disdain of Serbian nationalists. The two regions believed that they should become a part of the newly independent and ambitious Serbian nation.
On June 28, 1914, the Archduke and Sophie were touring Sarajevo in an open car with little security, when Serbian nationalist Nedjelko Cabrinovic threw a bomb at their car. The bomb rolled off the back of their car and injured an officer and several bystanders.
Later that day the Archduke and his procession took a wrong turn junction of Appel quay and Franzjosefstrasse, on their way to visit the injured officer. One of Cabrinovic's cohorts, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, was loitering at the junction. Seeing an opportunity, Princip fired shots into the car at Franz and Sophie at point-blank range. He then turned the gun on himself but was prevented from firing by a bystander who threw himself at the assassin. A furious mob of onlookers to the event attacked Princip. Princip fought back but was eventually wrestled away by the police.
Meanwhile, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife lay in their limousine, fatally wounded, while it rushed to find help. They both died within the hour.
This act set off a rapid chain of events that led to great consequences. Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification in settling of Slav nationalism. When Russia declared its support for Serbia, Austria-Hungary delayed its declaration of war until German leader, Kaiser Wilhelm, confirmed Germany’s support in the event of a Russia intervention. On July 28, 1914, exactly one month after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within the week, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Serbia had lined up their forces against Austria-Hungary and Germany.
World War I had begun.
Archduke Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, two former Ottoman territories in the Balkan region that were annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908 to the disdain of Serbian nationalists. The two regions believed that they should become a part of the newly independent and ambitious Serbian nation.
On June 28, 1914, the Archduke and Sophie were touring Sarajevo in an open car with little security, when Serbian nationalist Nedjelko Cabrinovic threw a bomb at their car. The bomb rolled off the back of their car and injured an officer and several bystanders.
Later that day the Archduke and his procession took a wrong turn junction of Appel quay and Franzjosefstrasse, on their way to visit the injured officer. One of Cabrinovic's cohorts, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, was loitering at the junction. Seeing an opportunity, Princip fired shots into the car at Franz and Sophie at point-blank range. He then turned the gun on himself but was prevented from firing by a bystander who threw himself at the assassin. A furious mob of onlookers to the event attacked Princip. Princip fought back but was eventually wrestled away by the police.
Meanwhile, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife lay in their limousine, fatally wounded, while it rushed to find help. They both died within the hour.
This act set off a rapid chain of events that led to great consequences. Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification in settling of Slav nationalism. When Russia declared its support for Serbia, Austria-Hungary delayed its declaration of war until German leader, Kaiser Wilhelm, confirmed Germany’s support in the event of a Russia intervention. On July 28, 1914, exactly one month after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within the week, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Serbia had lined up their forces against Austria-Hungary and Germany.
World War I had begun.