Before world war one began in 1914 several events had caused a tension around central Europe. Events including the factors of Imperialism, Nationalism and Militarism. The tension had been simmering due to clashes between the great powers (Italy, France, Germany, the British Empire, Austria-Hungarian Empire and Russia).
Events as early as 1867 can be seen to have caused war. That’s 47 years of a build up of tension. In this essay I aim to tell you the issues leading up to the start of the war in 1914 and, explain to you the significance of these issues.
In 1914 two main powers had been formed. These powers were the Triple Entente: Great Britain, France and Russia: and the Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. If a country from another alliance was to attack, then the countries from the alliance were devised to help its allies. The countries had a ‘moral obligation’ to support one another. These alliances were significant to the start of the war because this would make the outbreak of war more likely. This was because a major power only had to invade a neighbouring country for the main power blocks (alliances) to get involved.
The Franco-Prussian war was between France and Prussia. The war started when France declared war on 19 July 1870. It ended on 10 May 1871. Prussia won this war. After this war France had to give the region of Alsace to Prussia. After this war, Prussia took steps to unite independent German states into one country, the German Empire. The Unification of Germany. The war started due to an offer for the throne of Spain to Prussia. Prussia wanted to accept however this would make France weaker. This is how war broke out. This is significant to the start of the war because this would mean France would want revenge on Germany. This is also of significance because this would mean great tension between two major powers France and Germany.
The Essay on Causes Of Wwi War France Russia
WWI started in 1914, and ended in 1918. To this day there are many theories that are written, and unknown about the causes of this WWI. Some of them include, imperialism, and alliances. Imperialism added to the causes of the first world war because, Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries ...
Many central Europe powers wanted to make wealth abroad. Many central powers in Europe had control over mostly Africa and Asia. These continents could produce materials that would be useful for wealth and expansion. Also countries in Europe were running low on natural resources and laces in Africa and Asia could allow for more natural resources. Colonial trade and trade routes built up tension. The Great powers wanted control over areas. Imperialism is significant to the start of the war because main countries wanted the control of different places, which caused wars to break out for control over certain places. This goes on to create tension between main Countries. For example in 1914 there were a fight for Morocco between France and Germany. In 1900 Britain controlled 1/5 of the entire Earth. This led to clashes between imperialist powers. Britain was trying to conquer Africa from Cairo (in the north) to Cape Town (in South Africa).
France was trying to conquer Africa from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. In 1898 their two armies met, at Fashoda in the Sudan, almost causing a war.
All the nations of Europe were militaristic, but the governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary were especially so. All the countries of Europe strengthened their armies and navies. • Germany: 2,200,000 soldiers, 97 warships
• Austria-Hungary: 810,000 soldiers, 28 warships.
• Italy: 750,000 soldiers, 36 warships
• France: 1,125,000 soldiers, 62 warships
• Russia: 1,200,000 soldiers, 30 warships
• Great Britain: 711,000 soldiers, 185 warships
As one country increased their war power so did another. By the 1900 Germany and Britain were in a race for the biggest navies. Kaiser Wilhelm announced he wanted Germany to make it’s place in the world, he announced he wanted Germany to find ‘a place in the sun’. After 1906 Germany started to produce, ‘Dreadnought ships’ this was a powerful battleship. The British seemed to take this as a challenge to the British Navy. The British and the Germans thought out a Navy race. Britain also started to build ‘Dreadnought ships’ By the end of the race it was clear the Britain had a much stronger Navy then Germany and in fact the rest of the world. The significance of materialism is that countries could mobilise quicker to places and also fight stronger wars. Stronger navies would cause threats to other navies.
The Term Paper on European War Germany Austria Russia
... can certainly be blamed partially for contributing to the outbreak of war, but other factors and other countries ... the Habsburg throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This event took place in ... war and revenge on Serbia. The unfortunate practicality of fully mobilising Russias troops was also important in the outbreak of war. Germany ... too much power in the Balkans area. Bismarck, unwilling to ...
The Balkan war were
The Balkan Wars were a series of wars fought in the Balkan Peninsula in 1912 and 1913.The First Balkan War was fought by Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria (The Balkan league) against the Ottoman Empire. The main reason of the Balkan League was to stop the European territories of the Ottoman Empire, because large numbers of the people of the Balkan League lived under Ottoman rule. The war was a success and the Ottoman Empire lost almost its entire European territories.
The Second Balkan War was fought by Greece, Serbia, the Ottoman Empire and Romania against Bulgaria. Because Bulgaria felt that Greece and Serbia got more land than they deserved, Bulgaria declared war on Greece and Serbia, which repelled the attacks. The Ottoman Empire and Romania declared war on Bulgaria, because they wanted to gain Bulgarian land, and by the end of the Second Balkan War Bulgaria had lost almost all its gains from the First Balkan War. This was at significance because this meant tension was building all the time between these countries. This could mean a major power could support one of the counties e.g. Austria, part of the central powers could support Bulgaria. This would mean Russia would have to support Serbia. This could lead to major warfare between these countries.
A key part to the start of World War 1 was the Assassination in Sarajevo. Bosnia had been taken over by Austro-Hungary. Many of the people living in Bosnia were Serbians. A gang, terrorist organisation named the Black Hand Gang were situated in Bosnia-Serbia. The gang hated Austria-Hungary. Seven of the gangs members decided to kill the Heir to the Austrian empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. The gang waited for Ferdinand to drive by. However when the bomb was thrown by one of the terrorist, Ferdinand managed to knock away the bomb and in the process managed to injure eight people. Ferdinand managed to drive away unharmed. However Ferdinand’s driver managed to get lost and by amazing chance stopped right next to one of the gang’s members. He killed Ferdinand and his wife. Ferdinand’s uncle was furious and declared war on Serbia. However because Russia is friends with Serbia Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary. In due course this led to Germany declaring war on Russia for declaring war on Austria. This led to France getting evolved because France and Russia formed an alliance. So, France declared war on Germany.
The Essay on Effects Of World War I On Germany
Effects of World War I On Germany World War I had a devastating effect on the entire world. Germany however, might have suffered the most from a war that claimed the lives of 9 million combatants. Germany lost more men in this war than any other nation involved. An entire generation of Germans was slaughtered, almost 2 million were killed, and the total number of casualties was over 7 million. The ...
Germany now had two enemies to control. On the Eastern front there was the Russian’s and on the western front there was the French. So Germany devised a war plan. The plan consisted of going through Holland and Belgium and then defeating France and then defeating Russia on the eastern front. They named the plan ‘the Shcliffen plan.’ However this plan was short lived. The Britain’s knew of the plan and Britain slowed down Germany. Britain did this by supporting Belgium.
In conclusion, the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo can see as to the immediate cause of war. I think that this event was the main cause of war. However I think war at this time could not be avoided. There was too much tension around Europe at the time; it was inevitable that war was going to break out. I think Germany felt jealous of the power Britain held and wanted to control Europe. However I think if Germany and Britain had joined forced they could have conquered the whole of Europe and maybe the whole world. I think Germany wanted full control of Europe. I think imperialism was a factor to the build up of tension in Europe. Too any countries wanted to expand their empire. This means that there were clashes aboard. I think if some countries like Britain weren’t to selfish abroad then this would make for less tension around Europe. I think jealousy within materialism played a role towards the war. Countries wanted to be the most powerful. I think countries wanted this however as more of a status rather then actual artillery. I think the Shcliffen plan was a good plan. I think if Britain hadn’t protected Belgium then Germany would have one the war. Overall I think war was inevitable due to a build up of tension for many years. However I do think the tension could have been easily avoided.
The Term Paper on World War Britain Germany Belgium
Britain went to war in 1914 to defend the integrity of 'gallant little Belgium' Britain's decision to go to war in 1914 was not simply to defend the integrity of France's small neighbouring country. A variety of political, social and economical reasons contributed to the decision, almost all of which can be disputed by different historians. Britain's obligations to Belgium went back nearly a ...
