WW1

Question 1

Causes of war (ECONOMIC)

Answer 1

economic factors contributing to World War 1 include imperialistic ambitions, as nations sought to secure colonies for resources and markets.

• The industrial revolution heightened the need for raw materials and new markets, intensifying economic rivalries.
• Additionally, pre-war arms races and military buildups strained national economies, creating a delicate balance that ultimately collapsed into conflict.

(Talk about Germany and Britain)

Imperialism and Competition for Resources: European powers were engaged in fierce competition for colonies and resources around the world. Economic interests in Africa and Asia fueled rivalries as nations sought to secure raw materials for their industries.
2. Militarism and Arms Race: The arms race, driven by militarism, strained national economies. Major powers invested heavily in building large armies and navies, diverting significant resources that could have been used for economic development.
3. Alliance System: The complex web of alliances among nations created a delicate balance of power. Economic interests played a role in forming these alliances, as countries sought to protect their economic investments and ensure access to markets.
4. Nationalism and Economic Independence: Countries, fueled by strong national pride, wanted to be economically independent. Big countries adopted policies to protect their own industries, which increased trade tensions and made cooperation difficult, adding to overall instability.
5. Trade Rivalries: Economic competition and conflicting trade interests strained relations. Tariffs and trade barriers were implemented to protect domestic industries, leading to economic conflicts that heightened political tensions.
6. Colonial Disputes: Economic interests in overseas colonies sometimes led to conflicts between nations. Disputes over control of territories and resources in regions such as Africa and the Middle East added to the overall geopolitical instability.

Question 2

Cause of WW1 (IDEOLOGY)

Answer 2

• Nationalism and patriotism played a role as intense pride and competition among nations fueled tensions in smaller countries that were controlled by bigger nations and also bigger nations.

Militarism involved the buildup of military forces and arms, leading to an arms race.

Imperialism heightened rivalries over colonial territories and economic motives like low cost labour cheap material Newmarket. An example of this is when Germany’s desire to make its influence felt outside of Europe threatened the big colonial power like Britain and France and caused a lot of tensions that heighten when the new Kaiser

The system of alliances, such as the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance, meant that conflicts between individual nations could quickly escalate into a widespread war.

Question 3

Political and territorial

Answer 3

1. Alliance System and secret Treaties:
   
   • The confusing network of alliances and treaties, particularly the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and later the United Kingdom) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy initially), created a situation where a conflict involving one nation could quickly draw in others. The entangling nature of these alliances turned a regional dispute into a global war.
2. Nationalism and Territorial Aspirations:
   
   • Intense nationalism and the wish of territorial gains were significant contributors. Nationalistic fervor, especially in the Balkans, fueled desires for independence and expansion. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo in 1914, by a nationalist, set off a chain reaction that led to war.
3. Disputed Territories and Imperial Rivalries:
   
   • Competing imperialistic ambitions and territorial disputes heightened tensions. The longstanding rivalry between Germany and France over the Alsace-Lorraine region, which Germany had annexed in 1871, remained a point of contention. Similarly, various Balkan states sought control over territories, leading to conflicts like the Balkan Wars in the years leading up to World War I.

The interplay of these factors created a volatile environment, and when the assassination incident occurred, it acted as a catalyst, triggering the already tense situation and ultimately sparking the outbreak of World War I.

Question 4

Short and long term causes

Answer 4

**Short-Term Causes:*

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914):
The immediate trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo. This event, coupled with longstanding political tensions between Serbia and AH set off a chain reaction that led to the declaration of war.

Mobilization and Declarations of War (Summer 1914):
Rapid mobilization and the swift declarations of war followed the assassination. As nations invoked alliances and treaties, the conflict quickly escalated. Germany being the supporter and Allie of AH declared war on Russia and France, initiating a series of actions that led to a widespread European war.

Rape of Belgium (1914)
Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium, as part of the Schlieffen Plan, brought Britain into the war. The violation of Belgian neutrality provoked international condemnation and further intensified the conflict.

Long-Term Causes:

1. Militarism:
   The arms race and the belief in military solutions contributed to the buildup of military forces. Nations invested heavily in military technologies and strategies, setting the stage for a large-scale conflict. The German military build-up and the naval rivalry between Germany and the United Kingdom are examples.
2. Alliance System:
   
   • The complex system of alliances, such as the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance, created a situation where the actions of one nation could quickly involve others. The interconnected alliances turned a regional dispute into a broader conflict. For instance, the mutual defense obligations led to the involvement of multiple nations after the assassination.
3. Imperialism and Nationalism:
   
   • Imperialistic ambitions and intense nationalism, particularly in the Balkans, fueled territorial disputes and aspirations for independence. The competition for colonies and influence contributed to the overall atmosphere of tension. The Balkan Wars and the desire for territorial control in various regions exemplify these long-term factors.

The combination of these short-term triggers and long-term underlying causes culminated in the outbreak of World War I in 1914.