What Were The Underlying Causes Of World War I?

What Were The Underlying Causes Of World War Iintroductionat The Turn

What were the Underlying Causes of World War I? Introduction At the turn of the 20th century, Europe was feeling pretty darned good! It controlled empires that encircled the globe. European technology was unsurpassed. Even its art and music were the envy of the rest of world.

In 1900, Europeans believed the world was their oyster. However, this feeling was not to last. By the end of 1918, after four long years of war, European confidence was badly shaken. Ten million soldiers had died on the battle fields, another 20 million had been wounded. Empires that had lasted for centuries lay in ruin.

In the late 19th century European leaders believed that by creating a balance of power they could prevent large-scale war. The idea was that if the major powers of Europe — countries like England, France, Russia, and Germany — were balanced in strength, no one country could dominate the rest. War could be avoided. Otto von Bismark, the Chancellor of Prussia who led the unification of the German states, disliked the fact that Germany was sandwiched between Russia and France. To avoid war, Bismark made an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy which became known as the Triple Alliance.

In response, France, Russia, and Great Britain formed their own alliance known as the Triple Entente. On the surface, these alliances could be seen as a way to maintain a balance of power and thereby preserve peace but suspicions ran high. Political and military leaders spent countless hours developing plans in case a war began. Countries engaged in militarism—building up of arms, weapons, ships, and men. The tension between countries was matched by tension within countries.

Especially in southeastern Europe, in an area known as the Balkans. In the Balkans, the spirit of nationalism and independence ran high. Some ethnic groups revolted. Out of the numerous dissatisfied ethnic groups, one emerged in Sarajevo, Bosnia called the Black Hand. They wanted independence from their mother country, Austria-Hungary, and for all Serb people to have their own country.

Their solution to the situation was to assassinate Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, when he visited Sarajevo to make an inspection of the Austro-Hungarian troops. Seven young men who had been trained in bomb throwing and marksmanship were recruited to accomplish the task. On June 28, 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife Sophie toured Sarajevo in an open car. Seven assassins were stationed along the route that Franz Ferdinand's car would follow from the City Hall to the inspection. The first two terrorists were unable to throw their grenades because the streets were too crowded and the car was traveling quite fast.

The third terrorist, a young man called Cabrinovic, threw a grenade which exploded under the car following the Archduke’s car. Although the Archduke and his wife were unhurt, some of his attendants were injured and had to be taken to hospital. After lunch at the City Hall, Franz Ferdinand insisted on visiting the injured attendants in hospital. However, on the way to the hospital the driver took a wrong turn. Realizing his mistake, the driver stopped the car and began to reverse.

Another terrorist, named Gavrilo Princip, stepped forward and fired two shots. The first hit the pregnant Sophie in the stomach. Sophie died almost instantly. The second shot hit the Archduke in the neck. He died a short while later.

The Black Hand assassins hoped to use the killing to trigger a rebellion that would lead to a larger Serbian nation. The Austrian government blamed the Serbian government for not controlling groups like the Black Hand. On July 5, an Austrian ambassador met with Kaiser William II of Germany. Austria-Hungary was promised a “blank check”—or unconditional support—from Germany regardless of whatever action Austria-Hungary decided to take in punishing Serbia. Furthermore, elements within the Austro-Hungarian government had been itching to strike at Serbia during the immediate pre-war years but lacked a credible excuse to do so.

On Thursday, July 23, 1914, Austria issued a list of 10 demands to be met by Serbia. The ultimatum insisted that Austria-Hungary be allowed to participate in Serbia’s investigation of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination and, in particular, to take direct part in the judicial process against the suspects. The demands also required Serbia to stamp out all forms of anti-Austrian activism and propaganda emanating from the country. Serbia agreed to all demands except the participation by Austria in Serbia’s judicial process. On July 24, Serbia sought help from Russia and received a promise of support if Austria attacked.

On July 28, Austria declared war on Serbia. On July 29, the first Austrian artillery shells fell on Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. In the next several days: Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary. Germany declared war on Russia. France declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. Britain joined France and Russia. Europe was at war.

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The outbreak of World War I was a complex interplay of political, military, and nationalistic tensions that had been simmering in Europe for decades. The root causes of the war can be traced to deep-seated issues such as militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism, which created a volatile environment ripe for conflict. Furthermore, specific events such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand acted as immediate triggers, igniting the powder keg that was entrenched in European geopolitics.

Militarism played a significant role in escalating tensions among European nations. Countries believed that a strong military was essential for national security and in asserting their power. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, naval race tensions had escalated, particularly between Britain and Germany, with each nation investing heavily in their navy to outmatch the other. The accumulation of weapons and military readiness created a climate where war seemed inevitable and even desirable among some military and political leaders, fostering a mindset that war was a legitimate means to solve conflicts and demonstrate national strength (Friedman, 2011).

Alliances further complicated the situation. The major powers of Europe formed two primary alliances— the Triple Alliance consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, and the Triple Entente comprising France, Russia, and Britain. These alliances promised mutual defense, which meant that a conflict involving one country could rapidly escalate into a larger war involving multiple nations. The networks of alliances created a domino effect once the conflict started, making a localized dispute quickly evolve into a continent-wide war (Clark, 2013).

Imperialism was another critical factor. European nations competed fiercely for colonies and global dominance, which heightened rivalries and led to conflicts in various regions around the world, especially in Africa and Asia. The desire to expand influence and protection of colonies added to tensions, particularly between Britain, France, and Germany. These imperial rivalries contributed to a sense of national urgency and militaristic preparedness, which spilled over into European conflicts (Strachan, 2004).

Nationalism was a potent force within many European countries, particularly in southeastern Europe. Ethnic groups sought independence from empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. In Bosnia, Serbian nationalists, particularly the Black Hand organization, aimed to create a Greater Serbia and felt justified in using violence to achieve their aims. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was driven by these nationalist motives, as it was perceived as a way to ignite a rebellion and promote independence (Mosse, 2001).

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo was the immediate trigger. The Black Hand, a secret Serbian nationalist organization, carried out the killing, hoping to incite rebellion among Serbs living under Austria-Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian response was to issue a harsh ultimatum to Serbia, which, when only partially accepted, led Austria to declare war on Serbia. Russia, allied with Serbia, mobilized its troops against Austria-Hungary, prompting Germany—an ally of Austria-Hungary—to declare war on Russia. This chain reaction expanded the conflict rapidly, involving the major powers of Europe, each driven by their strategic interests and nationalistic fervor (Tetlock & Misra, 2020).

Furthermore, the alliances meant that any small conflict had the potential to escalate into a full-scale war. Germany’s "Schlieffen Plan" aimed to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium, before turning eastward to fight Russia. Britain, committed to protecting Belgian neutrality, entered the war when Germany violated Belgian borders. The system of alliances and military plans made war almost inevitable once the initial spark was lit (Horne, 2014).

Additionally, the global nature of imperialism meant that the war extended beyond Europe, involving colonies and territories overseas, which further intensified the conflict. The interconnectedness of economic interests, military buildup, and political rivalries created a perfect storm that erupted into one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.

In conclusion, the underlying causes of World War I were multifaceted. Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism each contributed to an environment of tension and hostility. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand served as the catalyst that ignited these long-standing tensions into a global conflict. Understanding these causes helps us comprehend how a complex web of political, military, and social factors can culminate in war on a catastrophic scale.

References

• Clark, C. (2013). The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914. HarperCollins.
• Friedman, G. (2011). The Outbreak of World War I. In The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com
• Horne, J. (2014). The Origins of the First World War. Longman.
• Mosse, G. L. (2001). The Crisis of German Ideology: Moral Nausea and the First World War. TCU Press.
• Strachan, H. (2004). The First World War. Penguin UK.
• Tetlock, M., & Misra, V. (2020). The Great War and Modern Memory. Harvard University Press.