Causes of World War I

Context and Overview

• The assassination of an Austrian archduke by a Serbian revolutionary sparked World War I, but wasn't the sole cause.
• The Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany and its allies for the outbreak and consequences of the war.
• Europe experienced rivalry among great powers leading up to WWI, stemming from various factors.

Historical Background

• Post-Napoleonic Wars, a new balance of power was established in Vienna involving Great Britain, France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria-Hungary.
• Unified Italy (1860s) and Germany (1871) disrupted this balance of power, creating tension.

Factors Leading to WWI

Military Build-up

• Great powers increased conscription and weapon production.
• Germany heavily invested in its military, with a doubled army budget from 1910 to 1913.

Naval Arms Race

• Germany's fleet expansion threatened British naval supremacy.
• Resulted in a naval arms race that increased tensions.

Alliance Systems

• Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Triple Alliance with Italy, countered by the Triple Entente (Russia, France, Great Britain).
• Alliances aimed at deterring war but contributed to its escalation when it occurred.

Imperialism

• Scramble for Africa intensified competition among European powers.
• Germany was a late entrant but significant in escalating tensions.

Balkan Conflicts

• Nationalist uprisings led to new small states and tensions.
• Serbia's expansionist ambitions supported by Russia, opposed by Austria-Hungary.

Immediate Catalyst: Assassination in Sarajevo

• The assassination led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.
• Alliances activated, escalating the conflict into a world war.

Responsibility and Blame

• Historians debate Germany's responsibility due to its aggressive policies.
• Triple Entente nations also contributed to tensions through imperial competition and political isolation of Germany.
• The outbreak was not inevitable but a result of choices made by the powers involved.

Conclusion

• All great powers share some responsibility, making the precise blame complex and debated.
• The causes of WWI remain a subject of historical debate without a definitive answer.

Note

• This summary is based on a lecture discussing the intricate causes of World War I and their historical context.