Causes and Effects of World War 1 Essay Example

World War 1 was the biggest war of Europe between the Entente and the Central powers. Lasting for 4 years, ending with the signing of The Armistice of 11th November. The war costing 68,176,000 lives from both sides. With extra lives lost due to the aftermath of the war caused by poor infrastructure and disease

World War 1 stemmed from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sofie by Gavrilo Prinivil, a Serbian nationalist. The assassination led to a month of diplomatic maneuver called the July Crisis among the Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Russia and Germany in which a month later from the assassination, Austria-Hungary officially declared war on Serbia in 27th of July 1914with partial mobilization prior. Following this, The Russian Empire ordered a partial mobilization a few days before the official declaration, in 25th of July. Then, on the 30th, declared general mobilization. Seeing this, Wilhelm II sent an ultimatum to Tsar Nicholas II, his cousin to stop the mobilization along side with full intent to not support the Serbians. After Russia denies, Germany declares war against Russia with mobilization on the 1st of August. Following this, Austria-Hungary ordered a general mobilization on the 4th of August. At this time, France and Britain has not officially entered the war.

A swift victory hoped by the Austria-Hungarian against Serbia lead to a 4-year conflict spanning all over the world. Resulting in the dissolution of the Ottoman, German and Austria-Hungarian Empires with Germany being punished the most by being partitioned. The aftermath left many nations weak and vulnerable to revolutions and internal conflicts with the Russian Empire being overthrown by the Bolsheviks.