Causes of World War One (WW1) Notes
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Focus Question:
"To what extent can it be said that the first world war was caused by ...
- Nationalism?"
- Nationalist groups in balkans
- Black Hand
- Birth of Germany
- Will for war- propaganda/nationalism
- Russia wanted to regain prestige after loss to Japan.
- The Alliance System?"
- Alliances were dangerous because they increased suspicion.
- 1879 Germany and Austria/hungary formed the Dual Allaince
- 1882 Italy joined, triple alliance formed.
- 1904 Entente Cordialle: France and Britain.
- 1907 Russia joined: "Triple Entente"
- by 1914, Europe was divided into two armed camps.
- The Arms race?"
- 1900 Germany paced the Navy Law
- 1906 Britain built first Dreatnought
- Germany retaliated with "Rhineland"
- After about 1910 France, Germany and Russia raced each other to build up huge peacetime armies.
- By 1914, Britain had clearly won race: "29 to 17"
- Played a part in increasing fear and suspicion between the two countries.
- Increase in military spending
- European powers:300 % increase
- More destructive weapons.
- Mobilization plans of the great powers.
- Colonial/economic rivalry?"
- Germany had policy of becoming a world power (?weltpolitik?).
- Wanted to become a serious economic threat to britain.
- Challenged French interests in morocco in 1905 and 1911, both occasions Britain stuck up for French and Germany had to back down.
- Produced friction
- Short term causes:
- Assasination of Arch Duke Ferdinand (heir to Austro-Hungarian throne) in Sarejevo on 28 June 1914.
- 23 July Austra-Hungary delivered ulitmatum to Serbia with a 48-hour time limit
- 26th July Austro-hungarian troops began to bombard belgrade.
- 30th July Russia declared a general mobilisation.
- 1st of August Germany began to excecute the Schlieffen plan.
- 2nd August Britain declared war on Germany, defending Belgian neutrality.
Historiography
1)The war was germany?s responsibility.
- Fischer, Geiss: Germany only wanted a war, prepared for it, and ultimately provoked it in 1914 in order to advance Germany?s position in the world.
- Link to Nationalism, economic rivalry.
2) Germany Risked war, but did not plan it.
- Ritter: Germanys main aim was to retain Austria-hungary as an ally and that Germany?s actions can be interpreted as defensive, not aggressive.
- Zechlin: Germany was ready to accept the risk of war, but had no desire to provoke it.
3) Everyone has some responsibility.
- Schroeder: War was the logical outcome of tensions leading up to 1914 and no individual country should be held responsible.
- Taylor: No one wanted war, but their freedom of action was limited by their existing war plans.
- Joll: The willingness on the part of the people and leaders of all nations to go to war.
About the Author
by: Admin
Total views: 2989
Word Count: 900
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 Time: 12:00 AM
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