WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FIRST WORLD?
WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR??
While there were quite a few events that led to fighting, the actual causes of the war are fairly deeper. The major causes of the First World War were: the Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism and how all this had increased tension between the powers of Europe which were: Britain, France, Russia (Triple Entente) and Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Triple Alliance). The minor causes of the war were: the heir of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, alliances, and the tension in the Balkan region. In my opinion the main reason for the war was the alliances. What is ironic is the fact that the alliances were formed to scare the enemy into not fighting but it provoked it. Tension in Europe had been growing in Europe for decades. There had been minor wars, for example the war between France and Germany in 1870 where France had lost the important industrial region of Alsace-Lorraine so the French had a feeling of hatred towards the Germans, France needed power on their side so they formed an alliance with Russia and Britain. Britain had the world’s largest and most powerful navy. They felt threatened when Germany announced that they would create their own navy causing tension between the two and also causing Britain to make warships (dreadnoughts) at a faster rate. The Triple Alliance was created because after the war between Germany and France, Germany was frightened that France would seek revenge and attack them so, they formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy to protect them. Once France had allied with Russia, the Germans felt threatened as they were encircled by the enemy, which was seen as a threat. In addition, there was also tension between Austria-Hungary and Russia, who both wanted control over the Balkan region in South East of Europe, as they would have access to the Mediterranean Sea which would open trade. The alliances caused a lot of tension. Instead of scaring the enemy into not
While there were quite a few events that led to fighting, the actual causes of the war are fairly deeper. The major causes of the First World War were: the Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism and how all this had increased tension between the powers of Europe which were: Britain, France, Russia (Triple Entente) and Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Triple Alliance). The minor causes of the war were: the heir of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, alliances, and the tension in the Balkan region. In my opinion the main reason for the war was the alliances. What is ironic is the fact that the alliances were formed to scare the enemy into not fighting but it provoked it. Tension in Europe had been growing in Europe for decades. There had been minor wars, for example the war between France and Germany in 1870 where France had lost the important industrial region of Alsace-Lorraine so the French had a feeling of hatred towards the Germans, France needed power on their side so they formed an alliance with Russia and Britain. Britain had the world’s largest and most powerful navy. They felt threatened when Germany announced that they would create their own navy causing tension between the two and also causing Britain to make warships (dreadnoughts) at a faster rate. The Triple Alliance was created because after the war between Germany and France, Germany was frightened that France would seek revenge and attack them so, they formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy to protect them. Once France had allied with Russia, the Germans felt threatened as they were encircled by the enemy, which was seen as a threat. In addition, there was also tension between Austria-Hungary and Russia, who both wanted control over the Balkan region in South East of Europe, as they would have access to the Mediterranean Sea which would open trade. The alliances caused a lot of tension. Instead of scaring the enemy into not