WORLD WAR I BACKGROUND
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Europe was divided into two rival alliances: the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary). The alliances were part of the so-called 'balance of power' system, where both alliances aimed to cancel the other one out. This system was shattered in August 1914 when both sides declared war.
The short term cause of war was the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, in Sarajevo (in Bosnia) on the 28th June 1914 by Serbian Nationalists. However there were longer term causes that were more significant:
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These causes can be traced by to 1871, when the new state of Germany was created. Previously, Germany had consisted of roughly 300 separate states and once unified, became a large power in the centre of Europe. Immediately this was threatening to the established powers in Europe. France felt especially threatened as they had been humiliated by the Germans, who also seized Alsace-Lorraine, French territory near the German border.
In the 1870's and '80', Germany was very careful and sought to build a network of alliances but by 1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II had abandoned this caution and became much more aggressive with his foreign policy. He began to talk about creating a German Empire- if Britain, France and Russia could have one, why not Germany? Again, the established powers found this threatening as there was really no more overseas territory for Germany to take except theirs- Britain and France had already divided Africa between them. When Germany became building up the size of its navy (a vital requirement for an empire), Britain felt its naval superiority was being challenged.
As a result of feeling threatened, Britain, France and Russia began to form an alliance against Germany. This in turn threatened Germany: they felt surrounded or 'encircled'. As early as 1897, Germany began planning for war. The Schlieffen Plan was designed to avoid a two-front war against both France and Russia but was extremely aggressive- Germany needed to declare war when other countries showed signs of mobilization. The French also had war plans.
Between 1905 and 1913 there was a number of crises over Morocco and Bosnia. Look at the map of Europe below- why were these smaller, weaker countries at the centre of international disputes involving major powers?
In the 1870's and '80', Germany was very careful and sought to build a network of alliances but by 1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II had abandoned this caution and became much more aggressive with his foreign policy. He began to talk about creating a German Empire- if Britain, France and Russia could have one, why not Germany? Again, the established powers found this threatening as there was really no more overseas territory for Germany to take except theirs- Britain and France had already divided Africa between them. When Germany became building up the size of its navy (a vital requirement for an empire), Britain felt its naval superiority was being challenged.
As a result of feeling threatened, Britain, France and Russia began to form an alliance against Germany. This in turn threatened Germany: they felt surrounded or 'encircled'. As early as 1897, Germany began planning for war. The Schlieffen Plan was designed to avoid a two-front war against both France and Russia but was extremely aggressive- Germany needed to declare war when other countries showed signs of mobilization. The French also had war plans.
Between 1905 and 1913 there was a number of crises over Morocco and Bosnia. Look at the map of Europe below- why were these smaller, weaker countries at the centre of international disputes involving major powers?
Of course the main concern for all involved was over access to the Mediterranean. These crises increased international tensions and resentment between the major powers. Both crises left Germany increasing insecure and increasingly encircled. The arguments over Bosnia involved Russia and Austria-Hungary (both were competing for influence in the Balkan peninsula), while Serbia emerged as a potentially troublesome country for Austria-Hungary in the region.
By 1914, both alliances were suspicious and fearful of each other: the Triple Entente feared Germany's desire to seek an empire, while the Central Powers were concerned about being encircled by Britain, France and Russia. Moreover, Austria-Hungary was determined to crush Serbia and Russia was desperate to compete with Austria for influence in the Balkans. The only thing missing was an excuse for war to break out. This excuse was provided by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand on the 28th of June 1914.
Germany gave Austria-Hungary a guarantee (or so-called 'blank cheque') that they would support Austria whatever they decided to do.
Austria, outraged over the death of the heir to its throne, issued Serbia (remember it was Serbian nationalists who were responsible for the assassination) with an ultimatum that they knew could not be accepted.
Serbia refused this ultimatum.
All the major powers took sides according to the alliance system. See the cartoon below.
By 1914, both alliances were suspicious and fearful of each other: the Triple Entente feared Germany's desire to seek an empire, while the Central Powers were concerned about being encircled by Britain, France and Russia. Moreover, Austria-Hungary was determined to crush Serbia and Russia was desperate to compete with Austria for influence in the Balkans. The only thing missing was an excuse for war to break out. This excuse was provided by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand on the 28th of June 1914.
Germany gave Austria-Hungary a guarantee (or so-called 'blank cheque') that they would support Austria whatever they decided to do.
Austria, outraged over the death of the heir to its throne, issued Serbia (remember it was Serbian nationalists who were responsible for the assassination) with an ultimatum that they knew could not be accepted.
Serbia refused this ultimatum.
All the major powers took sides according to the alliance system. See the cartoon below.
Both sides failed to reach agreement and war was declared. The next four years were among the bloodiest and costliest in human history. During the course of the war, the alliances were altered. Italy switched sides in 1915. Russia dropped out of the war in 1917 (there was a revolution in Russia) and the USA joined the war on side of Britain and France in the same year. By 1918, the two alliances looked like this:
Triple Alliance (formally Triple Entente): Britain, France and the USA
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire
The war was marked by stalemate and tremendous loss. At least 10 million soldiers were killed and 20 million wounded.
Germany and its allies neither surrendered or were defeated. However, Germany did approach Britain, France and the USA first for an armistice (an agreement to stop fighting), and although no foreign soldiers set foot on German soil, they were treated as a defeated enemy afterwards.
While Germany did not officially lose the war though, they were losing.
After the war, many people strongly believed that Germany should be held responsible for starting the war. Is this opinion fair? Who do you think is responsible? Consider all the main countries involved.
Germany - Planned for war as early as 1897. Many German generals pushed for war in 1912. They were the first country to start fighting. They gave Austria 'a blank cheque'.
Austria-Hungary- Issued ultimatum to Serbia and then declared war.
Russia- They were the first country to mobilize their troops.
These facts only involved the crisis following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand- the 'July Days'. It does not take the longer-term causes (of far more significance) into consideration. When you look at these causes, it is possible to claim that all were responsible, not just Germany.
Triple Alliance (formally Triple Entente): Britain, France and the USA
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire
The war was marked by stalemate and tremendous loss. At least 10 million soldiers were killed and 20 million wounded.
Germany and its allies neither surrendered or were defeated. However, Germany did approach Britain, France and the USA first for an armistice (an agreement to stop fighting), and although no foreign soldiers set foot on German soil, they were treated as a defeated enemy afterwards.
While Germany did not officially lose the war though, they were losing.
After the war, many people strongly believed that Germany should be held responsible for starting the war. Is this opinion fair? Who do you think is responsible? Consider all the main countries involved.
Germany - Planned for war as early as 1897. Many German generals pushed for war in 1912. They were the first country to start fighting. They gave Austria 'a blank cheque'.
Austria-Hungary- Issued ultimatum to Serbia and then declared war.
Russia- They were the first country to mobilize their troops.
These facts only involved the crisis following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand- the 'July Days'. It does not take the longer-term causes (of far more significance) into consideration. When you look at these causes, it is possible to claim that all were responsible, not just Germany.