What Were the Causes of WW1?
The Ultimate Cause
World War 1 was caused mainly by when conflict broke out in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where the heir of the Austria-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, were killed by the Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo, on June 28, 1914. It was the beginning of many chains of events. Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the death, and declared war on them.
Other causes
There were more causes for the starting of World War One. Alliances, imperialism, nationalism and militarism, were the four main causes besides the ultimate cause.
Imperialism- Imperialism was when nations around the world would conquer parts of Africa. Different nations had different sized-parts of Africa. Empires were doubled, tripled, or even more than the nation itself. However, tensions came between the countries and war began.
Alliances- In order to protect themselves, countries made alliances. Many alliances were also secretive. For example, Austria-Hungary was aligned with Germany. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany was forced to join the war due to their treaty. When a country declared a war on another country, its allies were forced to help. This was how countries got involved into the war.
Below is a graphic organizer of who was allied to who, when, and what side they were on.
Imperialism- Imperialism was when nations around the world would conquer parts of Africa. Different nations had different sized-parts of Africa. Empires were doubled, tripled, or even more than the nation itself. However, tensions came between the countries and war began.
Alliances- In order to protect themselves, countries made alliances. Many alliances were also secretive. For example, Austria-Hungary was aligned with Germany. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany was forced to join the war due to their treaty. When a country declared a war on another country, its allies were forced to help. This was how countries got involved into the war.
Below is a graphic organizer of who was allied to who, when, and what side they were on.
Militarism- European countries were expanding, leading countries to an arms race. Between the years 1870 and 1940, Germany's and the French's army increased rapidly. There was also conflict between German and Britain for occupation of the seas. In 1906, the British invented the "Dreadnought", which was a useful submarine that gave them a little advantage in the war. However the Germans got the same idea of improving their battleships as well. On land, the Germans devised a plan called the Schlieffen Plan. This plan was made up to surprise the French with an attack coming from a different direction. The Germans crossed through neutral Belgium, which the Germans murdered many people civilians on the way. After they left a bloodshed in Belgium, the Germans attacked the French.
Nationalism- Nationalism is when a country is dedicated to fight for their country because they believe that their country is better and stronger than every other country. Civilians thought that if a war began, that they were eager to join it. It mostly happened in Europe. Europeans kept thinking that their government was always correct and they could win every conflict their was. What increased that belief was Europeans created plays, music, newspapers, etc. to rant about how powerful their country was. This led to an increase of starting war. Higher ranked people did nothing to stop their peoples cravings for war.
Even though the video shows them in a fight, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was actually shot, but we kept this appropriate.
Above is Part 2 to the "Cause" cartoon