The Outbreak of the First World War

Origins of the War

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914.
• Debate among historians about the causes of the war more than 100 years later.
• The July Crisis led to a generalized Great Power war.
• Consideration of long-term causes (the "long fuse") that made war more likely in post-Napoleonic Europe.

Economic and Social Context

• Industrialization brought wealth and urbanization but also stark inequalities.
• Ruling groups channeled social tensions through nationalism and imperial expansion.
• Emergence of Germany as a new power post-1871 with ambitions for its own empire.

Increased Tensions Among Great Powers

• Jingoism and militaristic culture contributed to rising anxiety.
• Militarization and political alliances heightened the risk of conflict.
• Germany's naval buildup provoked reactions from the UK.
• Rivalries over influence in the Balkans between Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Alliance Systems

• By 1914, systems of alliances bound most Great Powers:
  • France and Russia allied since 1894.
  • Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance.
  • Britain joined the Franco-Russian bloc to form the Triple Entente.
• The danger of alliances was that conflict involving one power could drag others in.

The July Crisis

Initial Steps Toward War

• Assassination of Franz Ferdinand triggers the July Crisis.
• Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia with semi-official involvement debated.
• Serbian government denied involvement; tensions escalated.

Decision for War

• Austrian leadership pressured for military response.
• The ultimatum to Serbia was crafted to be unacceptable.
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

Mobilization and Escalation

• Russia's partial mobilization and Germany's preemptive actions.
• Diplomatic exchanges between Tsar Nicholas and Kaiser Wilhelm.
• Growing pressure for military action from generals.

Germany's War Plan

• Schlieffen Plan aimed for a quick victory over France before Russia fully mobilized.
• Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, followed by an invasion of Belgium.
• Britain declared war on Germany after the violation of Belgian neutrality.

Consequences of the War

• By August 4, all Great Powers were at war, marking the official start of the First World War.
• Roughly 20 million people would die during the war.

Historiography of the War's Origins

• Historians have debated the causes of the war, with various perspectives:
  • Fritz Fischer: Germany's elite sought war for grandiose plans.
  • Sean McMeekin: Russia's actions escalated the conflict.
  • Niall Ferguson: British mistakes contributed to the war's outbreak.
  • Christopher Clark's "sleepwalker theory": War was largely unintended, resulting from miscalculations.

The War's Aftermath and Legacy

• The war led to debates about culture and mentality in 1914.
• A reflection on how decisions made during the crisis shaped the war's outbreak.
• Final thoughts on the enduring impact of the First World War on global history.

Conclusion

• The analysis of the First World War's origins continues to evolve.
• Consideration of cultural and political factors that contributed to the outbreak.

Additional Context: 16 Days in Berlin

• Promotion of a documentary series chronicling the final battle of the Second World War, available on Nebula.