What Caused The Great War Essay
Camilo Jimenez
Professor Acevedo
History Honors 211
December 18th, 2014
The Great War: the World had Never Spilled so Much Blood
World War One is one of the most tragic wars the world has experienced. The Great War was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. However, this assassination is not the only cause of a war in which the most powerful countries of the time were involved in. This war was boiling for several years and the murder of the duke happened to be the spilling point. The main cause, as in most wars, was essentially economic and political rivalry. Equally important, were the extreme nationalist ideas, which only fanned the flames of Imperialism and its ashes created an economic struggle to colonize the largest possible number of territories that grew their industries and supplied raw materials. Capitalists believed the only route to economic supremacy was to impose it on others. Ultimately, this rivalry could only be settled with the use of violence and guns.
Franz Ferdinand, (Archduke of Austria, in line to the throne of the Austro-Hungary Empire) was killed on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavrila Princip, a Bosnian nationalist. This attack was the start of the First World War. A single …show more content…
Nationalism refers to sociopolitical movements and ideologies shared by the members of a nation. During the 19th century, European nations had a great sense of patriotism. This pride for ones’ nation, eventually turned into a superiority complex which led to competing for power, commercial rivalries and similar colonial interests. Nationalism also led to an arms race. This was facilitated by the pride of the citizens in wanting either independence or for their nation to prevail, which eventually caused a battle between the nations. Everyone wanted to prove that they were the best and in order to obtain total supremacy, military force was the best way to gain
Professor Acevedo
History Honors 211
December 18th, 2014
The Great War: the World had Never Spilled so Much Blood
World War One is one of the most tragic wars the world has experienced. The Great War was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. However, this assassination is not the only cause of a war in which the most powerful countries of the time were involved in. This war was boiling for several years and the murder of the duke happened to be the spilling point. The main cause, as in most wars, was essentially economic and political rivalry. Equally important, were the extreme nationalist ideas, which only fanned the flames of Imperialism and its ashes created an economic struggle to colonize the largest possible number of territories that grew their industries and supplied raw materials. Capitalists believed the only route to economic supremacy was to impose it on others. Ultimately, this rivalry could only be settled with the use of violence and guns.
Franz Ferdinand, (Archduke of Austria, in line to the throne of the Austro-Hungary Empire) was killed on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavrila Princip, a Bosnian nationalist. This attack was the start of the First World War. A single …show more content…
Nationalism refers to sociopolitical movements and ideologies shared by the members of a nation. During the 19th century, European nations had a great sense of patriotism. This pride for ones’ nation, eventually turned into a superiority complex which led to competing for power, commercial rivalries and similar colonial interests. Nationalism also led to an arms race. This was facilitated by the pride of the citizens in wanting either independence or for their nation to prevail, which eventually caused a battle between the nations. Everyone wanted to prove that they were the best and in order to obtain total supremacy, military force was the best way to gain