What Caused World War 1

¶ … nations all over Europe made mutual defense treaties, which would pull them into war. These agreements implied that in case one nation was invaded, associated nations had to protect them. The following alliances existed prior to World War 1 (Kelly): Japan and Britain Russia and Serbia France and Russia Germany and Austria-Hungary Britain and France and Belgium The Triple Alliance was created in 1882 by Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. These three nations agreed to support one another in case of an attack from either Russia or France.

France, in particular, felt intimidated by this alliance. The main aim of the alliance was to support collaboration against Germany's thought threat. After three years, Russia that was scared of the growth of the German Army, united with France and Britain, to create the Triple Entente (Triple Entente). Contrary to the Triple Alliance, the terms of the Entente did not need each nation to go to battle for the sake of others; however, they possessed a "moral obligation" to back one another.

The government of Russia was also worried about Austria-Hungary's probability of increasing its empire size. It thus made promises to assist Serbia in case of an attack by the Triple Alliance members. Imperialism refers to when a nation enhances its wealth and control, by bringing more regions under its power. Prior to World War 1, Africa together with various regions of Asia, were conflict points amidst the European nations. This was, in particular, as a result of the raw materials that could be offered by these regions.

The rising competition and wish for greater empires resulted to a rise in confrontation that assisted in driving the world into World War 1. An arms race had already started by the time the world was entering the 20th century (Kelly). Germany possessed the most rise in military increase by 1914. Both Germany and Britain increased their fleets in this particular duration. In addition, particularly in Germany and Russia, the military establishment started to possess a lot of impact on public policy.

This enhancement in militarism assisted in pushing the nations to engage in war. Most of the war's origin was founded on the longing of Slavic individuals in Herzegovina and Bosnia to no more be part of Austria Hungary, but rather be a part of Serbia. In this particular way, nationalism directly resulted to the battle (Kelly). However, in a broader perspective, the nationalism of the different nations all over Europe plated a role in both the start and the extension of the war in Europe.

Each and every nation attempted to prove its power and supremacy. Britain gave Morocco to France in 1904, however, the Moroccans wished for their independence. Germany pronounced her support for Moroccan independence in 1905. War was barely avoided by a meeting that allowed France to retain ownership of Morocco. In 1911, however, the Germans once again disputed the ownership of Morocco by France. Britain backed France, and Germany was convinced to yield for a portion of the French Congo.

Austria Hungary took over Bosnia, the former Turkish province, in 1908 (World War One -- Causes). This particular action made the Serbians angry. They felt that the province ought to be theirs. Austria-Hungary was threatened by Serbia with war, Russia, partnered with Serbia, mobilized its forces. On the other hand, Germany partnered with Austria-Hungary, mobilized its forces and got them ready to intimidate Russia. The backing down of Russia prevented the war.

However, there was war in the Balkans amidst the years of 1911 and 1912, when the Balkan states chased Turkey from the region. The nations then fought against each other about the regions that should belong to a particular nation. Serbia was compelled to surrender some of its possessions after Austria-Hungary intervened. There was very high tension amidst Austria-Hungary and Serbia.

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and nephew of Franz Josef, was shot dead, together with his wife, by a nationalist of Serbia, Bosnia, in an occurrence that is broadly recognized to have fueled the outbreak of World War 1(Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated). Otto von Bismarck, the famous Prussian statesman and the individual accountable for Germany's amalgamation in 1871, said at the conclusion of his life that one day the great European War shall result from some damned stupid thing in the Balkans.

This happened as he had foreseen. Franz-Ferdinand's and Sophie's assassination began a quick chain of occurrences: Austria-Hungary held the government of Serbia accountable for the attack and hoped to utilize the event as reason for resolving the question of Slav nationalism, permanently. While Serbia was being supported by Russia, an Austro-Hungarian war announcement was postponed till its leaders got assertions from Kaiser Wilhelm, a German leader that Germany would support their cause, in case of a Russian intervention.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on the 28th of July, and the fragile peace that existed amidst the great powers of Europe crumpled (Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated). In a week's period, Russia, France, Belgium, Serbia, and the Great Britain had lined up against Germany and Austria-Hungary, and this was the start of World War I. United States Efforts to Remain Neutral On August 14th 1914, the president of the Unites States, Woodrow Wilson addressed Congress and announced the U.S. neutrality policy. In his address, he warned the U.S.

citizens from taking sides in the war of fear, threatening the broader U.S. policy. President Wilson made public that the American stand to this effect, not long after the outbreak of the war on 19th August 1914, giving a reflection of U.S. popular thoughts (First World War.com - A Multimedia History of World War One). The United States possessed no arrangements for war, and hence, did not initially contribute in the dispute.

In spite of official impartiality, a great leap in export to the Allies resulted to a vested concern- at least in the eastern nations- in an allied victory. Exportations to Germany, together with its partners, quickly reduced in line to a significant increase in delivery to France and Britain. General opinion in favor of the Allies started to develop as news regarding Germany's supposedly violent tactics spread; they were mentioned to entail a terror campaign against.