Causes of World War One Essay Sample

World War I lasted from the years of 1914-1918. This war spread to pretty much every continent on Earth. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was killed in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip after taking a wrong turn, this was his second attempt to murder him. Russia withdrew from the war in 1917 due to the lack of weapons and supplies. The countries had updated technology as well, things such as: guns, airplanes, tanks, gas masks, etc. The main motivations for World War I were countries glorifying military powers, all the countries forming alliances with one another, larger countries trying to gain power, and people having pride in their country.

The first cause of World War One is militarism. Militarism is “The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war.” Another way to say this is, devoting more money to the military, so they can build up a better, stronger military. Document 2 of the Semester two CCA packet includes a graph that shows “military spending per person in each country.” The cost keeps rising as time goes on, due to things being more expensive and the Boer War. This trend not only makes people angry due to the rising costs, but it also increases the chances for war, because they are obviously spending their money on something. (document 2)

The next cause of World War One is alliances. Alliances are “A formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for a specific purpose.” Document 7 of the Semester two CCA packet shows an image. It is a map depicting the alliances on the evening before World War One. There were two main, and large groups: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. Great Britain, Russia, and France were part of the Entente whereas Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary were part of the Alliance. The Triple Alliance however, was at a great geographical disadvantage. See, the three countries (Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary) were surrounded by the Entente. This puts them at risk to fight a two-front war, which is Germany's greatest fear.

Imperialism was a large cause of World War I.  Imperialism by definition is, “A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially.” The speech given by German Chancellor Bernhard von Bulow on December 11, 1889 states, “If the English speak of a ‘Greater Britain;’ if the French speak of a ‘Nouvelle France;’ if the Russians open up Asia; then we, too, have the right to a greater Germany.” (document 3) In other words, he is saying if Britain, France, and Russia get to expand, then Russia should be able to as well. To back this up, the political cartoon, “China, the Cake of Kings… and Emperors” is showing a group of men and women from Germany, England, China, Russia, France, and Japan. The group is dividing a cake into sections, those sections represent their land. There is lots of tension between the countries and they are about to fight. This is an example of imperialism because the stronger countries are fighting with the larger, stronger countries about who gets the control over the others.

Nationalism is the final cause of World War One. In its nature, nationalism means, “The sense of devotion to one's nation.” Colonel Dragulin Dimtrevic, the head of Serbian military intelligence, and founder of the “Black Hand” says, “If Serbia wants to live in honor, she can do so only by this war. This war is determined by our obligation to our traditions and the world of culture.” He goes on to say, “This war must bring about the eternal freedom of Serbia, of the South Slavs, of the Balkan peoples. Our whole race must stand together to halt the onslaught of these aliens from the north.” (document 4) Colonel Dimtrevic is basically saying that it should make you feel honored to fight for your country.

To bring things to a close, World War I was undoubtedly started by militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. What you remember is glorifying your military, forming alliances, wanting power, and devotion in your country.