Causes of World War One

 
 

     There are four main causes of World War One.  They are nationalism, alliances between countries, militarism, and imperialism.  There are also many important events that triggered the start of the war. These include high tensions between countries, the assassination of the archduke of Serbia, and the Moroccan Crises.    Below is a timeline of important events leading up to the war. 

 

1839

Britain and the other major European powers sign a pact which guarantees the sovereignty of Belgium.

1848

Austria-Hungary, under Franz Josef, loses war with France.

1860

Kingdom of Italy is founded.

1861

American Civil War begins.

1866

Austria-Hungary, under Franz Josef, loses war with Prussia.

1870

Franco-Prussian War
France, under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon III provoked war with Prussia. France lost badly to Wilhelm I (Wilhelm II's grandfather). Among the losses were the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine in western France which were annexed to Germany. Bismarck was against this action fearing the French would never forgive it. Good call.

18-Jan-1871

Wilhelm I crowned Emperor of Germany at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles

Jul-1872

France passes the law of Universal Service (the draft).

1875

France establishes the "Ecole Superieure de Guerre", The War College.

7-Oct-1879

The Dual Alliance is struck between Germany and Austria-Hungary. Not enthusiastic about the alliance and feeling it may offend the Russia that had stood by Prussia, Wilhelm I commented upon signing:
 "Thinking of what it means I feel like a traitor."

18-Jun-1881

The Three Emperor's League is formed.

20-May-1882

Italy joins Germany and Austria-Hungary to form the Triple Alliance.

18-Jun-1882

The Russian Reinsurance Treaty is signed.

9-Mar-1888

Wilhelm I dies.  A diplomatic cable from Berlin on the Kaiser's death:
 "Lord abide with us for the evening draws nigh."

1888

Wilhelm II becomes Emperor (Kaiser) of Germany.

1889

Emperor Franz Josef's son Rudolph commits suicide (after killing his 16 year old mistress).

1890

Wilhelm II dismisses Bismarck. Why? Prince Bernhard von Bulow writes:
 "The authentic reason was that Wilhelm wanted to play Bismarck himself."

1890

Germany refuses to renew the  Russian Reinsurance Treaty of 1887. New Chancellor Georg Leo von Caprivi states:
 "Bismarck was able to juggle with three balls but I can only juggle with two."

1891

Russia and France agree to consult if either are attacked.

18-Aug-1892

The Franco-Russian Alliance comes into being.

Jan-1893

Russia and France agree to mobilize together if threatened by any member of the Triple Alliance.

1896

The Dreyfus Affair reveals incompetence, corruption and worse in the French army.

1896

Italian army crushed by Ethiopia at the Battle of Adowa.

1897

Emperor Franz Josef's wife is assassinated.

1898

The Tirpitz Plan is started for the building of a major German fleet.

1898

The Spanish-American War begins.

1904

Britain becomes somewhat allied with the Franco-Russian combine with the entente cordiale with France.

1904-5

Russo-Japanese War. The Russians lose badly in Manchuria and Korea.

1905

Revolution in Russia is put down.

Mar-1905

The Morocco Crisis

1906

The Pig War between Austria-Hungary and Serbia begins.

1907

Anglo-Russian reconciliation.

1908

Austria-Hungary annexes the Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bulgaria proclaims independence from Turkey.

8-Oct-1908

The Kaiser is involved in the Daily Telegraph Affair.

1910

Edward VII dies and George V is crowned King of Britain.

1911

Italy wins war with Turkey to gain Tripoli.

1911

Second Moroccan Crisis.

1912

Britain and France agree on paper only to consult each other if faced with an unprovoked attack.

1912

Widespread strikes and disturbances in Russia.

8-Dec-1912

Kaiser calls the "War Council".

1913

French pass bill extending military service to three years.

Jun-Jul-1913

Second Balkan War between Serbia and Bulgaria.

26-May-1914

The Home Rule Act is passed in Britain. Civil war with Ireland becomes a possibility.
 
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     Nationalism played a major role in starting World War One.  Nationalism led to Germany's unification in 1871, along with Italy's in 1861.  It created political tensions between France and Germany, as France wanted to regain the Alsace-Lorraine territories they lost to Germany.  They lost these territories to Germany as a result of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871.  Gordon Craig stated, "The changes that took place in the map of Europe between 1859 and 1878 increased the opportunities for friction between the major powers and inflamed the resentments of minor ones. This process had been accelerated by the intense economic rivalry of the post-free trade era and the bitter competition for overseas colonies, which caused frequent crises from the 1880s onward, and by the growth of a new kind of nationalism, made possible by the spread of popular education and the birth of the yellow press–a nationalism that became increasingly ideological in nature and encouraged suspicion rather than understanding of other nations."  Nationalism threatened the stability of multi-nation states such as Austria-Hungary.  The different nationalist groups of Austria-Hungary all wanted freedom, and Serbia wanted to create a South Slav state.  The instability of these countries led to tensions between nations.  These high tensions heated up the already glowing spark of war. 

        Militarism also played a role in starting World War One.  Many nations believed in Social Darwinism, especially European political leaders.  This belief led people to believe that if their nation wasn't growing while others were, their country was doomed.  This high competition for colonies caused more tension between nations.  The desire for strong military power also caused tensions.  Germany took pride in their growing navy.  When other countries saw what Germany was creating, a rivalry to have he greatest navy occurred.  Other nations got scared because they thought Germany and other countries were building armies and weapons for war.  The fear of being attacked by other nations led many countries to form alliances with other countries.  These alliances caused even more uneasiness between nations.     

      Alliances were a third cause of World War One.  The alliances were formed when nations became fearful of attacks from other countries.  The Triple Entente was formed between Britain, France, and Russia.  France joined only so it could have a stronger security force.  Russia wanted their old-fashioned czarist system to catch up with technology in the West.  For Britain the alliance was just a way to defend itself, which would be impossible to do alone.  In 1882, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance.  This countries promised they would help each other if there was a war.  Though the agreement stated the alliance was conservative and defensive, many countries felt that the Triple Alliance was planning an attack.  Political tensions in Europe greatly increased when it was divided into these 'two armed camps.'
 

       Imperialism was the fourth and final cause of World War One.  Many countries in Europe wanted more territories.  Africa was a very desirable spot to have territories because it had large quantities of natural resources.  Germany, France, and Great Britain needed foreign markets, and vied  for economic growth in Africa.  Britain and France resolved their differences over Africa.  However, Germany clashed against France and Britain because they wanted Germany's territories.  These economic competitions and rivalries caused even more tension between European nations, adding to the ever-growing stress that eventually led to World War One.
 

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Last Updated: 3/2/06