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Why Did The War Start?
There were many causes for World War I. One was the emergence of Germany as a nation after 1871 when it defeated France in a war. This upset the European balance of power. German Chancellor Bismarck made alliances that transformed the continent into two armed and opposing camps. One camp, France, Britain, and Russia (the Entente) had more people, trade, and industry but Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey (the Central Powers) dominated Central Europe and had larger standing armies.
The new prosperity in Europe made it possible for countries to create huge national armament programs. The German army was one of the largest and best-equipped in Europe. Germany's creation of a modern navy and quest for overseas colonies threatened Britain's control of the seas. Both nations were in a naval armaments race in the years before 1914. In response, Britain forged a closer bond with France.
By 1914, military alliances bound the countries in each camp to their allies. Each national prepared elaborate mobilization plans to prepare their armies in the event of war. These developments helped create a tense atmosphere requiring only a spark to plunge Europe into war.
On June 28, 1914, a Serbian nationalist, Cavrillo Princip, provided the spark. He assassinated the Archduke and Archduchess of Austria-Hungary while they were visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was part of their empire. Austria-Hungary soon declared war on Serbia. The two camps because of their military alliances quickly transformed this regional crisis into a world war that affected Europe and their overseas colonies. The outbreak of hostilities began on July 28, 1914. |