Long-term causes of WW1

Question 1

When did Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia?

Answer 1

On July 28th 1914

Question 2

When did the powers of Europe declare war on each other, bringing much of the world into conflict?

Answer 2

By 4th August

Question 3

Long-term causes of WW1

Answer 3

• Industrialization
• Imparialism
• Alliance systems
• Militarism
• Military plans
• Nationalism

-

Question 4

Industrialization as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 4

Methods of manufacturing had developed dramatically in the nineteenth century, leading to advances in industry, technology and communication that enhanced military capabilities. As a result:

• Germany became the European leader in industrial output by 1910.
• Iron and steel output increased among all the major powers, making the mass production of weaponry much easier.
• Methods of transportation improved, with the growth of railways allowing countries to move troops more quickly.

Question 5

Imperialism in the Balkans as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 5

Stability in the Balkan region of Europe declined in the nineteenth century due to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, as countries vied for influence and economic gain in the region. This led to heightened tensions between European powers, especially Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who competed for the prestige, markets, and sources of raw materials that the empire brought:

• Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908, despite Russian protests, leaving Russia humiliated.
• With Russian support, Serbia gained its independence from the Ottomans in 1878 and then greatly expanded its territories in the Balkan Wars of 1912–13.

Question 6

Imperialism (British, French, and German rivalries) as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 6

Britain, France, and Germany looked for opportunities to acquire land outside Europe:

• The German Kaiser (Emperor), Wilhelm II, worked to establish a ‘place in the sun’ for Germany and wished to see the German Empire expand as part of his ideology named Weltpolitik.
• Britain and France, whose colonies were significantly larger and more established than Germany’s were concerned by Germany’s desire to expand and challenge them economically and diplomatically

Question 7

Alliance systems as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 7

European powers were all members of rival alliances, increasing the likelihood of a small dispute escalating into a much larger one.

• Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Dual Alliance in 1878 as a way of bolstering strength in central Europe after Russian–German relations deteriorated.
• The Dual Alliance turned into the Triple Alliance in 1882 with Italy joining. Members agreed to provide military support to one another in the case of a military attack by another European power (Germany and Italy’s agreement concerned a French attack only).
• Russia, fearing isolation against a now hostile Germany and Austria-Hungary along most of its western border, formed an alliance with France in 1894, known as the Franco-Russian military alliance. Both countries agreed to support each other in the event of an attack from a country in the Triple Alliance.
• In 1904, Britain and France signed the Entente Cordiale, a series of agreements that resolved long-term colonial disputes and tensions between the two countries. While this was not technically an alliance and they did not promise military support to one another, it established a working relationship between the two countries.
• In 1907, Britain signed a similar agreement with Russia, ending colonial tensions. Thus, the so-called Triple Entente was born.

Question 8

Militarism as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 8

The increased capacity to produce weaponry due to industrialization, combined with a desire for influence and territory abroad among the European powers, led to an arms race at the start of the twentieth century.

• Russia had the largest army in 1914, totaling 1.3 million troops from a population of 167 million.
• All countries had substantially increased the size of their armies. For example, Austria-Hungary’s army more than doubled to 810,000 by 1910.
• Britain continued to focus its efforts on maintaining naval superiority and developed the Dreadnought battleship in 1906. The battleship far surpassed any previous vessels in terms of machinery and capacity to attack from a great distance.
• Germany responded by launching its own Dreadnought in 1908.
• By 1914, Britain had 29 dreadnoughts compared to Germany’s 14.

Question 9

Military plans as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 9

Rapid advances in machinery and weaponry meant new military strategies.

• Germany developed the Schlieffen Plan, which aimed to prevent war breaking out simultaneously on its eastern border with Russia and its western border with France. Germany would launch a rapid attack against France, defeating it within six weeks, and then the vast majority of its army could be used against Russia before the Russians were fully ready for war. Russia was seen as the greater threat over the long term.
• Russian plans were developed to rapidly move against Germany in order to counter its logistical and organizational problems, which would be an issue in a long-term war.

Question 10

Nationalism as a long-term cause of WW1

Answer 10

Nationalism gained in popularity throughout the nineteenth century.

• Germany’s unification was achieved through a series of wars orchestrated by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Prussia, the largest German-speaking state other than Austria. This led to a swell in nationalism, leading to calls for empire, as well as a large army and navy.
• Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection was misappropriated and gave rise to the idea that some races and nations were superior to others and therefore were meant to dominate weaker groups or states.