Causes of WW1

Long + short term

Alliances

1871- Germany unification created nervousness in EU

- Alliances brought in a substantial number of countries into the Balkan conflict- increasing scale of war

- Bismark's web of alliance set defensive atmostphere + increased tension

Imperialism/Industrialisation

- Imperialist expansion across many countries led to competition in dominance of colonies (strategic military locations), raw materials

- Ger wanted 'spot in the sun'

- Industrial revolution caused scavenge for raw materials (Africa) because markets were too self sufficient (nationalism)

Nationalism

- Markets too self sufficient led to imperialist competition

- Colonies + empires brought PRIDE (backed by social darwinism)

- Dominant ideology across all countries- also, countries (Serbia) want to expand and want independence- creates tension in Aus-H, around

- War was a demonstration of self determination, of nationalistic pride, and strength (eg Pan Slavism/Ger humiliated Fr with Alsace Lorraine)

Short Term Causes

Moroccan Crisis 1 & 2, British Deadnought Launch, Triple Entente, Bosnian Crisis, Balkan Wars 1 & 2

First Moroccan Crisis 1905

- Ger failed to break up Entente Cordiale (Br + Fr)- this strengthened it and increased separation of blocs + tension

- Ger now seen as a threat to GB + to public, tension + separation increased

Algericas Conference 1906

Purpose was to settle a dispute between France and Germany about the situation in Morocco

• It resulted in the Act of Algeciras, opening Moroccan trade to all nations but deepening tensions in Europe.

• Germany's attempt to isolate Britain by allying with France and possibly Russia failed due to mistrust among powers and British insight.

• Germany gained little, and the conference contributed to the division of Europe before World War I.

British Dreadnought Launch 1906

- Nullified GB's naval advantage- Ger could now catch up

- Triggered a naval scare (08-09) + fear of Ger's fleet expanding, tension rose

- Arms race between Ger and GB, GB's taxes increased- public op caused pressure + increased resentment + separation, tension

Triple Entente 1907

- Triple Entente + Triple Alliance forced superpowers into Archduke's death- when it could have just been between Aus-H and Serbia (Alliances ENHANCED size of war)

- Tension increased + Ger felt encircled

- Alliance system set the sides that would be fighting each other when war broke

Bosnian Crisis 1908

- Balkans became very unstable

- Serbia wanted revenge from Aus annexing Bosnia + Herzegovina

- Russia forced to accept annexations or face war with HUGE power Ger- humiliated + started mass rearmament- TENSION

Second Moroccan Crisis 1911/Agadir Crisis

- Since Algeciras conference 1906 Morocco had been unstable, Fr brought troops to prevent uprisings/rebellions- tension increased + more anger amongst Nationalists

• Germany sent ‘Panther’ gunboat to Moroccan port of Agadir to protect Ger interests- resurrected Br fears of Ger hostile navy presence + threat to Gibraltar (British naval base)

- Ger + Fr businesses rivals in Morocco (controlling police...)

- Increased tension + hostility between GB + Ger

- Entente Cordiale strengthened

- Failure of Weltpolitik (France maintained influence) created public op hostility to Ger gov- more pressure

Long Term Causes

MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

Militarism

- Countries' value seen in military strength- prove in war

- Arms race began at beginning of 20th century: ongoing tension because of military rivalry

- Germany's fleet rapidly expanded (German Naval Laws), threatened GB's and GB more willing to go to war

- Growing military strength in GB + Ger created strong resources that were READY to be used (lots of money spent), whilst a side has an upper hand- sense of urgency

First Balkan War 1912

when the Balkan League-comprised of Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro- declared war on the Ottoman Empire

• Caused more resentment between Serbia + Aus-H

• Combined with 2nd Balkan war settled the question of who would rule “Ottoman Europe”.

Second Balkan War 1913

- Serbia's success encouraged strong nationalist feeling

- Serbia doubled in size + proved themselves militarily- threatens Aus-H

- Serbia's victories were diplomatic successes for Russia + encouraged Russia to stand by their ally- increase tension

- Aus-H convinces it needs to crush Serbia- willing to go to war

- Diplomatic defeat for Ger- Ger drew close to Aus-H + blocs separated further

JULY CRISIS 1914

Archduke is assassinated; sets off chain reaction; start of WW1

- Aus-H declares war with Serbia after Ger issued them a 'blank cheque' (full support)

- A month passes by, eventually Tsar authorises Russian mobilisation

- Once train schedule set- war up to the military generals- NO GOING BACK

What telegram were sent during the July crisis?

Willy-Nicky telegrams (exchanged between distant cousins Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas)

• whilst russia mobilised on 30th july, leaders tried to sort things out

• kaiser asked tsar to demobilise, tsar didnt

• ger declared war on russia

• ger had to declare war on france because she was russia’s ally