World War I: causes, course, and consequences

World War I

Any war between Europeans is a civil war. (Victor Hugo)

World War I is a great but very tragic event in the world and European history. Greatest European countries famous for their culture, history, arts, science and other well-known achievements ran into a fierce and absurd conflict. World War I killed millions of young soldiers, innocent civilians, destructed hundreds of prosperous towns and villages. It changed the world. It changed Europe. These 4 years, 3 months and 100 days changed international relations in the 20th century. World War I started cruel and bloody period of great wars and numerous casualties. As a result, many new states appeared at the political map of Europe (Yugoslavia, parts of Russian, Turkish, Austro-Hungarian Empires). World War I caused many traumatic events and the most tragic result was World War II which was much more fierce and killed 4 times more people then World War I.

This was the first war during which different killing machines were trialed. Humanity realized that scientific achievements can be used not only in peaceful spheres of life, but also can be used to kill, to burn, to crash... Well-known first tanks, chemical weapons, aviation, machine guns, flame-throwers appeared during WWI. This progress in military technologies caused many casualties. This war was not like previous. During this war all fighting military blocks wished not only to kill enemies army, but also to destroy his industry, to kill civilians and frighten alive. This war lost such features like honesty, nobility, compassion

WWI did a lot of harm but, unfortunately, we do remember only World War II and we do not pay enough attention to World War I. We do have to remember our past to understand our present and build future. Let us try to find out how did it happen that Europe got into this fierce conflict.

When reading R. Paxton or L. Derfler you can realize that war was inevitable. To understand this we have to analyze relations between the leading states, their interests and strength. Also we have to pay attention to main events in Europe which caused this war.

Let's start with Germany:

Germany united in one strong and economically developing country. Its success during Bismarks period was incredible. Otto von Bismark gathered small German lands and formed new powerful state in the center of Europe which had always been under French and British influence. He created strong, well-trained and equipped army and defeated France. German Chancellor captured French lands - Elsas and Lotaringia. After this success every European country understood that Germany was the only future leader in Europe and no one would be able to defeat German army. This was true. Germany had all chances to become an absolute European leader: it had developed industry, strong developing and strengthening economics, plenty of different mineral resources, new effective military theories and strong army, millions of new citizens united by idea of strengthening their country, fighting for own future and leading position of Germany in the international politics. But there was one problem. Germany wanted to capture some colonies to receive more strategic resources, to create new markets to sell German goods, because European market was full of French, British, Russian and other goods. The same was in Asia and Close East. The war was inevitable. Antanta knew that and was preparing for the great war. Germany did the same: increased number of army units, started ship-building program to fight against Britain on the sea.

German rulers were sure in success not only because of material abilities of their country, but also because of the great political will - the main condition of any political action. Germany was new powerful state, new kind of an industrial country of 20th century, the same as Napoleons France in 19th.

Austro-Hungarian Empire:

This empire was already half-dead in the beginning of the 20th century. Austro-Hungary was known as so-called jail of nations. Germans were supervisors of this jail. Only Hungarians received the same rights in 1867. But the majority of empires population consisted of Ukrainians, Serbs, Czechs, Croatians, Romanians and other nations. They didn't have those rights Germans and Hungarians had. Rulers of this empire used this multinational factor in their politics. Habsburgs knew that united nation can easily gain what it wants and always will fight together. But they were afraid of own nation. Nationalities hated each other and this anger we can still feel today. For example, if monarch wanted to calm down Orthodox Serbs he supported Catholic Croatians; if Czechs fought for political rights Hungarians had to suppress them. That's why Austro-Hungarian empire was poor and very weak, there was no tolerance, mutual understanding and respect in it. Its army was one of the weakest and during the war Germany had to fight against Russia helping Austria.

Austro-Hungary had shortage of strategic resources and dreamed of capturing more Balkan territories. At the same time small but brave and proud Serbia and other Slavic states fighting against Turkish influence would never let Austria capturing their motherland. Making these wishes true Austro-Hungary would menace Russian interests in this region, so main enemy for this country was Russian empire. Germany influenced Austria a lot and sure, Austro-Hungary would never start a war against Serbia (in fact - against Russia) without German political support.

Turkey:

Turkey was the weakest and the most outdated participant of WWI. Its army didn't have any chance to win, and all wars against Russia proved this (Turkey had always been defeated by Russian troops). Turkish economics, at the same time, had no chance to equip army. Turkey lost Balkans and even bloodthirsty Turkish ally Albania sent Turkish troops out of the country. But Turks wanted to get Balkan peninsula back and to spread Turkish influence on Slavic nations again. Also they wanted to capture Russian Crimea and parts of Russian Caucasus, and conquer Iran. After 1913 when Mustafa Kemal' Ataturk got power in Stambul German influence on Turkey increased. Turkish politics became more aggressive. But still Turkey had only to dream of these plans: it didn't have any ability to wage a successful war against Russia. Turkish army looked more like a crowd of poor and hungry disabled people with no moral values than Army. Turkish empire had no future the same as Austro-Hungarian.

Russian Empire:

Russian Empire was one of the strongest and developed countries in the beginning of WWI. Its economical development was even more fast and effective than in the United States. In 1913 Europe was afraid of Russian power. Russia as the main and strongest Slavic state saw own interests in protecting, liberating and uniting all Slavs (especially Orthodox). Balkan Peninsula, Ukrainian and Belarusian lands were in the sphere of Russian national interests. Though Russian army was defeated during the war against Japan, it was one of the strongest and well-trained in Europe. Russia was one of 3 main participants of Antanta military block. Russian Czar Nicolas II dreamed of fulfilling historical mission of Russia - capturing Turkish straits in the Black sea to make this sea Russian again. Also he wanted to improve situation in Caucasus and liberate Armenia from Turks. Czar was sure that he shouldn't be Germanys ally (Wilhelm II asked him about this). He thought that if he fought together with France and Britain against Germany they wouldn't mind him realizing Russian interests. In case of war Russia had to form Eastern front against Austro-Hungary and Germany.

France:

France hated Germany which had taken French leadership in Europe. France wished retaliation because of the past defeat when Germany captured Elsas and Lotaringia. Sure this country was afraid of such mighty neighbor like Germany but at the same time French leaders were eager to revenge and get back lost territories and are the only leader on the continent. That's why France tried to form strong and effective army, but it was very hard to resist Germany. France had less citizens that Germany, so they had to serve in the army for 3 years instead of 2. Also French economics was not that strong as German. It was hard to control and protect own colonies - it took too much funds and troops. That's why there were no enough troops to protect the parent state. But France wished war! They wanted to get Elsas and Loitering back, capture some German lands full of mineral resources and, sure, become European leader on the continent again.

British Empire:

This country has always been an instigator of the majority wars in Europe. Too many wars began because of British support, silence or uncertain position. The same was during WWI and WWII. British Empire was the largest colonial empire and was afraid to loose colonies. Its economics was strong only because of colonies; land troops were trained only to protect colonies and consisted of colonial inhabitants. Some of these army units stood on British Isles but the main British power was navy. Britain had never fought alone and with all own troops. Queens and Kings preferred to fight using allies' lives. In the beginning of 20th century frightened by Germany British empire asked old enemy - Russia to become an ally. British monarch wanted to push off Germany, Russia and France and when they will suffer a lot from the bloody war become the strongest winner of this absurd fight. Russian and French soldiers had to die for Britain.

British rulers dreamed of separating dying Turkey, capturing German colony in the Middle East and terminating German threat.

All these countries had own interests and wanted to realize them in any case. This war had to solve all international problems as leaders of great countries thought. Now we know how they were wrong.

War began between Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia. Everybody knew then that other European countries would not stay out of this conflict, politicians were sure that this war wouldn't be local. When analyzing the beginning of this -- world fire -- as historians say, we can find interesting facts explaining many important facts.

The cause of the war, as Austrians said, was assassination of heir of Austro-Hungarian throne F. Ferdinand and his wife by Serbian patriot Gavrila Principe. But anyway heirs' death was not that serious to start any war. Germany instigated Austria to start a conflict. After Ferdinands assassination Austro-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbian government. When creating this ultimatum Austrians did their best creating every requirement unacceptable to any sovereign state, they wanted Serbia to refuse fulfilling ultimatum requirements. Serbs didn't want a war but were ready to protect their country from aggressor. They accepted 9 requirements of 10. 10th said that Austrian troops had to occupy Serbian territory. Even German leader said that if he received such an answer he would be absolutely satisfied. By Austro-Hungary had already declared war on Serbia. Russia, main Serbian ally, started mobilization in 5 military districts. But even then there was a chance to stop the beginning war. Everything depended on British position. But London said nothing and this can be explained only because Britain wished this war the same as aggressors - Germany and Austro-Hungary. Russian minister Sazonov told English ambassador that London's strict position blaming Germany can preserve Europe from big war. London didn't say -- no -- . London didn't say -- yes -- . Germany insisted on the fact that that was only local conflict and it was only Austrian and Serbian business. Berlin congratulated Austrian monarch with the beginning of mobilization. The war, which could be stopped in the beginning, started. There was no mutual understanding among Antanta members and Britain saw own interests more important than common. Germany used this misunderstanding among enemies and declared war on Russia because Russian Czar didn't stop mobilization.