What Was The Causes Of The Great War Essay

In 1914 different countries joined allies. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, also known as the Triple Alliance opposed Great Britain, France and Russia (Triple Entente). These allies were obligated to help one another if attacked. On June 28, 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian thrown was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb. On Saturday, July 18, 1914, Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. The President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, insisted on neutrality and did not want to get involved. Eventually the US pulled away from “absolute neutrality” and sided with Great Britain, France and Russia. War was still not declared, but right around the corner for the United States. Wilson wanted neutrality for trade across nations. The US stayed out to provide finance, supplies and ammunition. The US reaped the benefits of war since the US war exports increased by 400%. That would come to an end when a secret telegram was intercepted by the British authorities. Arthur Zimmerman, German foreign secretary sent
This war known as the “Great War,” wiped out a generation of men, but a lot of great things came out of this war. Other countries viewed the United States as a country that is dependable. Britain was tired and on the verge of defeat. If the US didn’t step in they would’ve lost the war. Wilson wanted peace and 10 months before the war ended, he outlined 14 points to would ensure world peace. On January 8, 1918, he proposed the Fourteen Points to congress. “The first 5 points: No secret agreements; free navigation of seas; end to all economic barriers; Countries; reduction to weapon numbers; recognition of the rights of colonized peoples” (Roark). This fourteenth point plan called for a League of Nations “peach loving nations.” Overall the American legacy left behind was that the United States emerged from the war with the strongest economy and prospered for