The Causes of World War I

Introduction

• World War I, initially called "the war to end all wars," lasted from 1914 to 1918.
• Included countries from Europe, Russia, the United States, and the Middle East.
• Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.
• Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia, Portugal, Japan, and later the United States.

Initial Trigger

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist.
• Princip was linked to the Black Hand, a secret society.
• Assassination occurred on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Role of Serbia

• Serbia's extreme nationalism and desire to unify Slavic peoples influenced the assassination.
• Serbia was not willing to accept Austria-Hungary's harsh ultimatum, leading to war.

Role of Austria-Hungary

• Sought to expand its territory, specifically targeting Serbia.
• Used the assassination as a reason to initiate conflict.
• Issued an ultimatum to Serbia, impossible to accept, pushing for war.

Germany’s Involvement

• Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted Germany to dominate Europe economically and militarily.
• Germany offered Austria-Hungary a "blank check," supporting them financially in war efforts.
• Germany's strategy involved dragging Russia and France into the conflict indirectly.

Role of the Triple Entente

• Comprised of Great Britain, France, and Russia.
• Russia's mobilization against Austria-Hungary was quick, showing intent beyond alliance obligations.
• France encouraged Russian aggression to weaken Germany.
• Great Britain refrained from mediating to weaken Germany's influence.

Additional Factors

• Fear and competition for dominance (especially between Germany and Britain) exacerbated tensions.
• Various nations had ulterior motives that contributed to the escalation of conflict.

Conclusion

• No single nation or person holds all responsibility; it was a collective failure.
• Diplomacy was overshadowed by power struggles and aggressive politics.
• Lessons from WWI are pivotal to prevent similar future conflicts.

For further insights, explore additional resources on World War I and its comparisons to World War II.