Long Term Causes of War
Militarism
A British dreadnought.
With growing industrialization in different regions of the world, a drive to secure and/or advance in the economic position of a nation escalated. Britain holds its place in history as the first industrialized nation. It enjoyed a high percentage of the world’s total industrial output, but by 1914 it was evident that other countries were causing its output percentage to decline. For example, in the 1870s, Britain produced 32 percent of the world’s total industrial output, while Germany produced 13 percent. By 1914, Britain’s share had dropped to 14 percent, roughly the equivalent of Germany’s. This arose tensions between the nations.
Expensive naval improvements were underway as the Germans and Britons convinced themselves that in order to secure their position and advance further, they had to secure trade routes and protect merchant shipping through military protection. Powerful navies were considered successful means in controlling the seas, especially during times of war, which they believed would affect the war’s outcome. Germany announced that they would be building a massive fleet which would include may large battleships, to which the British government responded to by constructing super battleships known as dreadnoughts. Instead of discouraging the improvement of Germany’s navy, this challenge led the nation to build its own dreadnought force, therefore contributing to the international tensions and hostilities between the nations.
Expensive naval improvements were underway as the Germans and Britons convinced themselves that in order to secure their position and advance further, they had to secure trade routes and protect merchant shipping through military protection. Powerful navies were considered successful means in controlling the seas, especially during times of war, which they believed would affect the war’s outcome. Germany announced that they would be building a massive fleet which would include may large battleships, to which the British government responded to by constructing super battleships known as dreadnoughts. Instead of discouraging the improvement of Germany’s navy, this challenge led the nation to build its own dreadnought force, therefore contributing to the international tensions and hostilities between the nations.
Alliances
Political cartoon representing the alliances of WWI.
Alliances between nations were formed in order to maintain peace among nations and create relationships which would respond in the nation’s time of need. By 1914 two hostile camps emerged--the Triple Alliance (Central Powers) and the Triple Entente (Allies).
The Triple Alliance developed from the close relationship of Germany and Austria-Hungary. In 1879 the governments formed the Dual Alliance, which came from Germany’s fear of a hostile France, and Austria-Hungary’s viewing of it as a free hand in pursuing their Balkan politics without fear of Russian intervention. In 1882 Italy joined out of fear of France, transforming it into the Triple Alliance. However, the Italy’s rivalry with Austria-Hungary in the Balkans and Italy’s policy of aggrandizement at the expense of the Ottoman empire threatened the alliance. In 1911 Italy declared war on the Ottoman empire, straining the Triple Alliance because of Germany’s friendly relations with the Turks.
The Triple Entente formed between the three unlikely nations of Britain, Russia, and France. All motivated by suspicion and/or distaste for the Triple Alliance, the Triple Entente formally formed in a series of agreements between Britain and France and Britain and Russia that aimed to solve colonial disputes. In the summer of 1914 the countries signed a military pact that unified them in the Triple Entente.
Leading to the Great War were the war plans of both alliances. Led by France’s Plan XVII, the Triple Entente found itself following a country into battle who sought to resolve conflicts through unorganized attacks. Meanwhile the Triple Alliance followed behind in the results of Germany’s Schlieffen plan, which used 180,000 soldiers in a direct attack against France first, and its allies later. Both stuck to their war plans and set in motion a military conflict of major proportions.
The Triple Alliance developed from the close relationship of Germany and Austria-Hungary. In 1879 the governments formed the Dual Alliance, which came from Germany’s fear of a hostile France, and Austria-Hungary’s viewing of it as a free hand in pursuing their Balkan politics without fear of Russian intervention. In 1882 Italy joined out of fear of France, transforming it into the Triple Alliance. However, the Italy’s rivalry with Austria-Hungary in the Balkans and Italy’s policy of aggrandizement at the expense of the Ottoman empire threatened the alliance. In 1911 Italy declared war on the Ottoman empire, straining the Triple Alliance because of Germany’s friendly relations with the Turks.
The Triple Entente formed between the three unlikely nations of Britain, Russia, and France. All motivated by suspicion and/or distaste for the Triple Alliance, the Triple Entente formally formed in a series of agreements between Britain and France and Britain and Russia that aimed to solve colonial disputes. In the summer of 1914 the countries signed a military pact that unified them in the Triple Entente.
Leading to the Great War were the war plans of both alliances. Led by France’s Plan XVII, the Triple Entente found itself following a country into battle who sought to resolve conflicts through unorganized attacks. Meanwhile the Triple Alliance followed behind in the results of Germany’s Schlieffen plan, which used 180,000 soldiers in a direct attack against France first, and its allies later. Both stuck to their war plans and set in motion a military conflict of major proportions.
Imperialism
The Balkan Wars
Imperialistic conquests led to increasing tensions and rivalries between nations who sought control over the same lands. Most major powers engaged in the imperialistic drive, creating dangerous competitions, like that between Britain and Germany, and France and Germany. In addition, nations sometimes not only clashed once, but instead found themselves fighting against repeating opponents in two or more different regions. For example, Britain and Russia fought over Persia and Afghanistan, Britain and France met in Siam and the Nile Valley, Britain and Germany faced each other for control over east and southwest Africa, and Germany in France fought over Morocco and west Africa.
By the time of the unification of Germany in 1871, France and Britain already had dominion in most of the world. Germany sought to enter into power, resulting in its facing France and Britain, which brought about a series of international crises. The first crisis was a French-German confrontation over Morocco in 1905 where Germany announced its support for Moroccan independence, something the French were already fighting. As a result, France threatened war. Clashing was prevented by an international conference in Spain, but tensions continued to grow. From these tensions, the Balkan wars emerged as the Balkan states sought possession of European territories held by the Ottoman empire. The war strained European diplomatic relations and furthered tensions.
By the time of the unification of Germany in 1871, France and Britain already had dominion in most of the world. Germany sought to enter into power, resulting in its facing France and Britain, which brought about a series of international crises. The first crisis was a French-German confrontation over Morocco in 1905 where Germany announced its support for Moroccan independence, something the French were already fighting. As a result, France threatened war. Clashing was prevented by an international conference in Spain, but tensions continued to grow. From these tensions, the Balkan wars emerged as the Balkan states sought possession of European territories held by the Ottoman empire. The war strained European diplomatic relations and furthered tensions.
Nationalism
The nationalistic division of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
Nationalism spread throughout most of Europe as a result of the French revolution and Napoleonic conquests. The nationalist drive and concept of self-determination was often either ignored or opposed by leading European powers, which in result denied the people of the many nations in Europe their requests for national autonomy. Nationalistic movements, revolutions, and wars, eventually brought a few nations autonomy, including the Belgians, Italy, and Germany, but nationalism remained unresolved in other European areas, mainly eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Nationalism threatened to dissolve the multiethnic empires of the Ottoman, Habsburg, and Russia, and with them, the regional balance of power. The Ottoman empire, which controlled the Balkan Peninsula shrunk, and with its fall, Turkish territories began dividing into nations as revolts took place. By the end of the nineteenth century, Greece, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria had won independence.
Meanwhile, Austria-Hungary faced the nationalistic aspirations of Slavic peoples. The Serbs, were an especially menacing group, who sought to unify with the kingdom of Serbia. Fueled by Russia with Pan-Slavism, the Serbs forcefully continued in their seek for independence. Germany, who allied with Austria-Hungary, stepped in to help its ally, and in doing so arose tensions between the nations which helped set the stage for international conflict.
Nationalism threatened to dissolve the multiethnic empires of the Ottoman, Habsburg, and Russia, and with them, the regional balance of power. The Ottoman empire, which controlled the Balkan Peninsula shrunk, and with its fall, Turkish territories began dividing into nations as revolts took place. By the end of the nineteenth century, Greece, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria had won independence.
Meanwhile, Austria-Hungary faced the nationalistic aspirations of Slavic peoples. The Serbs, were an especially menacing group, who sought to unify with the kingdom of Serbia. Fueled by Russia with Pan-Slavism, the Serbs forcefully continued in their seek for independence. Germany, who allied with Austria-Hungary, stepped in to help its ally, and in doing so arose tensions between the nations which helped set the stage for international conflict.
Short Term Cause of War
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One Target, Seven Assassins, and Thirty-Two Nations
Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie, on 28 June 1914.
June 28, 1914.
1914 is recognized as the kick-start year of a chain of events that would affect the world beyond the twentieth century. On the day of June 28th, the archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his beloved wife, Sophie, were expected at the city hall of the Bosnia-Hungarian capital, Sarajevo. Sarajevo and the provinces near it had become hot-bed for Serbian nationalism, and so as the royal couple traveled down their designated route, seven armed assassins positioned themselves in anticipation of their arrival. The Serbian nationalist distaste for the Austria-Hungary dynasty and its representing heir was demonstrated on this day.
The morning was radiant and warm, and favored Ferdinand. The first assassin they passed, did nothing. Unaware of the fate that followed the designated route, the open vehicle carried on. As the second assassin, Gabrinovic, came into view, his determined preparations began. The car passed and he threw a bomb into the open car, only to have it bounce out of the car and explode near another vehicle, where dozens of spectators were injured while Ferdinand and his bride remained unharmed. Meanwhile, the Gabrinovic attempted to take his life by drinking cyanide and jumping into a nearby river. Unsuccessful, he purged the poison and found that the river was too shallow to drown in.
The car sped at this point and passed the remaining conspirators without a problem. Finally reaching city hall, the archduke and his companion found themselves at the reception where Ferdinand was urged to leave the city. The Austrian Commander, Potiorek, pleaded Ferdinand to escape the city because of its promising rise of rebellion. With the end of the reception, Ferdinand instructed his driver to take him to the hospital that was taking care of the civilians that had been injured by the bomb earlier that morning. The drive came to a bloody stop when the leader of the conspirators, Gavrilo Princip lunged at the car and shot his revolver twice. Both shots were successful.
The first bullet blew a gaping hole in the side of Ferdinand’s neck. The second bullet missed its target, the governor of Bosnia, and found its way into Duchess Sophie’s stomach. They died within the hour. Outside, Princip, like Gabrinovic, swallowed poison. Vomiting it, he aimed his revolver at his head, only to be stopped by a bystander. The crowd reached for the assassin, trying to harm him, but Princip was soon taken by the police, whom inflicted their own method of torture on him. They kicked, beat him, and scraped the skin from his neck with the edge of their swords before taking him away.
Memoir of Count Franz von Harrach
"As the car quickly reversed, a thin stream of blood spurted from His Highness's mouth onto my right cheek. As I was pulling out my handkerchief to wipe the blood away from his mouth, the Duchess cried out to him, "For God's sake! What has happened to you?"
At that she slid off the seat and lay on the floor of the car, with her face between his knees.
I had no idea that she too was hit and thought she had simply fainted with fright. Then I heard His Imperial Highness say, "Sophie, Sophie, don't die. Stay alive for the children!"
At that, I seized the Archduke by the collar of his uniform, to stop his head dropping forward and asked him if he was in great pain. He answered me quite distinctly, "It is nothing!"
His face began to twist somewhat but he went on repeating, six or seven times, ever more faintly as he gradually lost consciousness, "It's nothing!"
Then came a brief pause followed by a convulsive rattle in his throat, caused by a loss of blood. This ceased on arrival at the governor's residence.
The two unconscious bodies were carried into the building where their death was soon established."
The result of this event were the increased tensions between the Austro-Hungarian empire and the neighboring kingdom of Serbia. As the conflict between the nations grew, European powers took sides, and nationalist aspiration, international rivalries, and an inflexible alliance system led to a European war and global struggle involving thirty-two nations. Dividing into the Central Powers and Allies and the Associated Powers, the participating European powers entered the Great War, later known as World War I. Total war engulfed nations and their newly developed industrial nature only made certain that the Great War would become the bloodiest fight to its date. Millions fell victim to the horrors of the war and worldwide economies suffered from its demands.
By the end of the war in 1918, the international economy shifted power away from western Europe and found itself in the hands of the United States. By then four European dynasties had declined in result, and nine new nations were formed as European boundaries were redrawn. The Great War was lastly, responsible for an international realignment of power, ending Europe’s global primacy.