Master: World War I and Austro- Hungarian Empire Essay

Submitted By Mamus817
Words: 933
Pages: 4
Open Document
Why did World War I start in 1914?

The First World War was a human tragedy on a global scale. It originated in Europe, but countries from around the world were soon dragged into the fighting. The war lasted for four bleak years-from 1914 to 1918, and a staggering 65 million men were mobilized to fight. Over 21 million people died, including 13 million civilians. So, what were the causes that led up to this terrible war? Why did it become a European affair? Now, undercover the mysteries of World War I.

In 1914, the major powers of Europe – Britain, Germany, France, Austria-Hungary and Russia had been at peace for more than 40 years. However it was an armed peace. All the major powers sought security by having bigger armies and better weapons than their rivals. Example: Britain had a policy called the Two Power Standard, which meant that the Royal Navy always had to be as big the next two strongest navies in Europe put together. It meant that Britain would never be outnumbered at sea.

On the European mainland, countries enforced compulsory military service on their male population, and were prepared to mobilize armies of millions of men in days. Peace was maintained only by the threat of war breaking out; in fact countries formed alliances with one another for security.

Britain stood aside from European alliances, relying on its powerful navy to make it secure from invasion. But, during the early years of the twentieth century, the British became increasingly worried about the rising power of Germany. In 1900, the Germans embarked on a programme of warship building which challenged British supremacy at sea.
By 1914, Germany had built 40 battle ships and cruisers. Britain responded by building the first ever Dreadnought (a new superior kind of battle ship) in 1906. Germany built its own version in 1907 but by 1911 Britain had a new bigger kind. By 1914 Britain had 29 Dreadnoughts and Germany had 16.
This was called period was called the arm race between the British and the Germans.

The major powers were already making plans for war against their enemies for their own intentions, but they were just waiting for the excuse.
The last war between two of the major powers had occurred in 1870-71, when the Germans, led by the King of Prussia Kaiser, defeated France, annexing the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. With Alsace Lorraine under the Germans power, the French had a strong desire to claim back their land. So in 1894, the French Republic formed an alliance with the Russian Empire, which also feared German power and had conflicts with Germany’s alley, the Habsburg-ruled Austro- Hungarian Empire. The tension between the Franco- Russian alliance and the Central Powers- Germany and Austria-Hungary- became a fixed feature of European international relations.

Britain negotiated an entente cordiale with France- an informal agreement on issues that might cause tension between the two countries. Britain did not sign an alliance but, over the following decade, British and French military leaders did form plans to resist a possible German attack.
Both Britain and France ruled large colonial empires in Africa and Asia. Germany, however, despite the power of its economy and military forces, had only a small overseas empire. This was a source of discontent for the Germans. Germany’s efforts to expand its influence outside Europe threatened British and French interests. For example, in 1905 and again in 1911, Germany tried to contest French influence on Morocco. These confrontations were ultimately settled by compromise but, in 1911 in particular,
Show More

Related Documents: Master: World War I and Austro- Hungarian Empire Essay

Essay on nationalism reading

Ottoman Empires to create a particularly volatile situation. These generated growing nationalist movements that destabilized the already crumbling Hapsburg and Ottoman empires. To complicate matters even further, Russia became increasingly involved in Balkan politics, posing as the champion of Slavic liberties and nationalism against the Slavs' Turkish and Austrian masters. This heightened tensions between Austria, Turkey, and Russia and would provide the spark to set off World War I. Central…

Words 4002 - Pages 17

Benito Mussolinin After World War 1

While Britain was engaged in the fighting during the war, many of its merchants' traditional markets around the world were taken over by the rapidly growing United States economy. Many of Britain's former markets continued trading with the United States after the war. In addition, much of Britain's merchant marine had been sunk by German submarines during World War I. The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 hit Europe just as the economies of many nations were improving. Europe again was plunged…

Words 1832 - Pages 8

Great War Dbq

The Great War more commonly known as World War I started on July 28 1914 to November 1918. One of the major events that led to the civil war was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand the archduke of Austria -Hungary. His Assassin was Gavrilo Princip a Serbian nationalist that took the chance to perform the murder. This spark a fire into the alliances of which side being involved and starting World War I. These Alliances were known as the central powers and the allied powers. The central’s powers made…

Words 1831 - Pages 8

World War Essay

THE POST-WORLD WAR I Revolution and Change in Russia - Russia was rapidly becoming industrialized. Their leaders wanted their country to be one of the great imperialist powers of the world. They set up a sphere of influence in Chinese Manchuria, they next sought to gain control of northern Korea. Japan also wanted northern Korea. After protesting unsuccessfully against Russia’s presence there, Japan declared war with Russia. -> Japan won. The Revolution of 1905: - Businesspeople, professionals…

Words 3399 - Pages 14

History Notes Essay

CHC2De Review World War One Causes Nationalism: a feeling of deep loyalty to one’s people and homeland Extreme nationalist movement People would go to war just to promote support of their homelands Especially intense in Serbia Austria-Hungary took Bosnia, where many Serbians lived Serbians were angered, and the “Black Hand” terrorist group was formed to unite Serbians Members threatened to kill Archduke Ferdinand if he entered Bosnia Austrians were also expressing nationalism, and strongly…

Words 5857 - Pages 24