• Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

Explain the Causes of World War One

Extracts from this document...


﻿WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF WWI? World War One was a turning point in history. Many scholars study this event and what caused this huge conflict. Germany used to be the sole one responsible for this war, but many controversial debates later, the blame was gradually put on the other great powers of Europe as well. In this essay, I will be analyzing the main causes of WWI, especially targeting the long-term causes. Most of these causes and events may be classified into 4 main themes: imperialism, the alliance system, militarism & nationalism. Imperialism contributed greatly to the outbreak of WWI. Imperialism is when a country takes over other lands and subjects them to their rule to extend their power and influence. In the pre-WWI era, the great powers of Europe strove to expand their empires. Germany, who only became an united nation in 1871, desired a large empire like Britain?s, who at the time had an empire that stretched out over 5 continents and colonized about 1/3 of the world. ...read more.


This shows how easily countries may begin to consider war and attack to take over new lands. Another event that shows clear intent of imperialism is the Bosnian Crisis in 1908, when Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia, tension grew so thick between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that with one tiny trigger, war would be a possible threat. Another main cause of WWI was militarism. Britain, who had the strongest navy at that time, felt threatened when Germany decided they wanted to build their navy power as well. The Anglo-German naval race of 1906-12 started when Kaiser William II of Germany released the Tirpitz Plan, which was a plan to increase Germany?s naval size. The British brought out the HMS Dreadnought, a deadly battleship, in 1906. Though Britain eventually won, it was clear Germany posed a serious threat. There was also an increase of armed forces which created the mood and atmosphere for war. By 1900, Russia had the biggest army of 1.1 million, though the number had decreased to 0.8 million by 1914. The armies of Germany and France had more than doubled from 1870, though England?s army had not increased much as they prioritized the naval race over building their army. ...read more.


However, William II was young and felt no need to have Russia on their side. It should be taken into account that if there wasn?t an alliance system, WII might not have been a ?world war?, just one between Austria-Hungary and Serbia after an immediate cause- the trigger event of the assassination of the heir of the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia on 28th, June 1914. The assassination of the Archduke was committed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. He was part of the ?Black Hand?, a secret Serbian nationalist society. This links to nationalism as the Serbs were tired of being ruled by the Austro-Hungarians, and in return, murdered Austro-Hungary?s heir. This shows how much they were wiling to do to make their point. This also links back to the alliance system. France, bound by treaty to Russia, found themselves at war against Germany, and by extension, war against Austria Hungary. Meanwhile, Britain who was allied to France, declared war on Germany. Once again, it should be mentioned that if it were not for the alliance system, perhaps not as many countries would?ve been involved in the war. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text


Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related GCSE International relations 1900-1939 essays

  1. Long term Causes of World War 1

    Ferdinand by "The Black Hand", a Serbian nationalist group who wanted the Austrian rule gone. This, and the numerous confusing alliances, all contributed to the outbreak of war, not to mention the "war climate" (suspicion, fear, and tension) because of the alliances.

  2. Was World War one inevitable?

    Princip got this opportunity to shoot because the car was reversing and in the middle of a manoeuvre. These shots were fatal, Franz and his wife both died, and this was another reason for war. The Austrians had their excuse to attack Serbia.

  1. What where the causes of WW1

    In other words military commanders like General Haig or Marshall Joffre were not quite ready to the war with its modern weapons and new technologies such as machine guns, bunkers and railroad systems that allowed bringing troops quicker into defensive positions.

  2. Causes of World War 2

    However the real test for Hitler was to see if he could push the boundaries of the Treaty of Versailles and if any of the opposing European countries would react. Hitler wanted to see if the Treaty of Versailles was actually a serious enforcement, no matter how harsh the punishments the Treaty itself could actually be hollow.

  1. Critically Assess 3 Causes of World War 1

    the second Balkan war in 1913 in order to keep the spoils. Now that Macedonia was free, all eyes were on Croatia. South Slav nationalism in Croatia was based on the goal of unifying Slovenes, Croats and Serbs as well as historical constitutional rights of medieval Croatia.

  2. The Alliance System and the Causes of the First World War

    Source F also indicates that Germany was planning to engage in a war with France. Source F shows that Germany is prepared to risk everything to defeat France. Although, the Germans wanted British neutrality, they were expanding their navy in order to defeat Britain as well if they should intervene in a war against Germany and France.

  1. The Causes of World War I.

    the Austrian government comprised a list of demands in order to settle the criminal injustice that they encountered while in Sarajevo. This ultimatum was comprised of a list of specific demands that dealt with the elimination of all anti-Austrian agitation from the Serbian Kingdom.

  2. Questions on World War One.

    supported the republicans in France and tried to avoid conflict (prevent the return of monarchy in France which would be more revanchist). Result of implementing such principles in Germany's foreign policy 1. Alliance System a. Dreikaiserbund b. Devotion to peaceful solution of Eastern Question - acted as "honest broker".

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work