Austria, Hungary didn’t just have Serbia as a rival but also Russia. This rivalry existed on desire to unite Slavs, something the Austria- Hungary emperor did not to see. But both still had desire for influence in the Balkans. By 1900 it was hard to believe that just over 50 years ago these two had once been allies. In 1699 the Russian empire had expanded so much that that it was within touching distance with the Austrian empire. But in 1812, Russia seized the port of Odessa in the Black sea and the region surrounding it. At the time both were trying to control the western shores of the Black Sea. Before 1850 the two were powerful allies and in 1848 Russian troops had saved the emperor (Austrian) from a revolution. In the Crimean war of 1854, France, Britain and Turkey attacked Russia but Austria decided to stay neutral. This angered Russia, as they felt betrayed by Austria, someone they expected to gain help from and from there on relations between the two deteriorated into a rivalry. Turkey was getting weak and was losing land in the Balkans now being rivals Austria and Russia would compete for land in the territory. Russia being Slavic was now in league with Serbia and would stand up together when against Austria. Pre- summer of 1914, tensions were high as both were pushing for land in south- east Europe. This Long- standing rivalry caused Russia to become involved in the July crisis to help its pan Slav ally: Serbia. It can be seen that Russia may have taken this opportunity to seek revenge over Austria’s betrayal in 1854. In general it can be seen that this rivalry helped cause an outbreak of war in 1914 because these two countries differed in opinion of what they wanted to achieve making impossible for them to be allies.
In the years leading up to the Great War the rivalry between Britain and Germany was fairly relaxed. Neither had been in any major conflict apart from the arms race, which was very serious. Germany had always admired Britain’s empire and navy but not only that it had ambitions to become like Britain. Germany developed a policy called ‘weltpolitik’; the word had no precise meaning but was just a term to sum up the expansionist phase of German policy. Britain was scared that Germany would upset the balance of power in Europe where each country should not own too much. This could cause Britain to got war with Germany, pushing tensions higher. The tensions between the two were at their peak during the period of the arms race. This is where Germany started to increase their army and navy Britain feeling that this was competition started competing. During this period war seemed inevitable between the two. It was this rivalry that could have caused a lack of communication when Britain declared war on Germany after they entered Belgium using the Schleiffen Plan (It had been drawn up 1n 1905 when Germany was encircled by enemies). Even though relations had improved. It could be said that Germany didn’t know where Britain stood in this situation and if they did war would not have been declared. Geiss declared that world war one could not be understood without the knowledge of historical background.
Against the odds, international affairs improved in the early months of 1914. This was especially for Anglo- German relations. The two ex- rivals agreed to build the Baghdad railway in Mesopotamia (Iraq). Furthermore, the naval race looked to be well in effect over. In July 1914, as British ship sailed away from Kiel naval review a German warship signalled ‘Friends in the past, friends forever’. A foreign official wrote, “…I have not seen such calm waters.”
Franco- German relations were also better for some time. In Jan 1914 something happened that would not have a couple of years ago. The French president dined at the German embassy in Paris. This caused many people to think that Britain and France did not need to get involved if there was another Balkan war. One can argue from this evidence that if these countries are getting on better then there shouldn’t be any reason for them to enter war in 1914 because they are getting on better. After being enemies for a long time these were early stages for good relations and this is why the alliance contacts weren’t dissolved because they needed more time to be properly acquainted with one other. So from this evidence it couldn’t have been long standing rivalries between the great powers (no longer Austria- Hungary) but something else like a ‘Mismanaged Crisis’.
The term ‘mis’ is used in many circumstances such as mishap where things occur accidentally meaning that the Balkans crisis was managed badly, in which there were many mistakes that shouldn’t have occurred for it to be considered as ‘Mismanaged’.
The Balkan crisis in the summer of 1914 was just the trigger point to the pro longed tensions that already existed to kick off war. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28th 1914 provided Austria with a chance to attack Serbia. On the 5th July the Kaiser gave a ‘blank cheque’ to Austria ordering them to act immediately in response to the death. Germany knew by giving a ‘blank cheque’ she would be involved in war if Austria were to start one. Austria had to act quickly or it would seem like they were not avenging the death but instead playing around. They instead sent an ultimatum 20 days later. This made Austria look as if they were not serious. Anyhow Serbia did not accept all the terms and Russia outlined that Austria were deliberately provoking war (Remak said that the document was designed to be rejected). Austria then began to bomb Belgrade. They attack would not have gone ahead without Germany’s full support. Russia being Serbia’s ally joined in and refused to be humiliated after the Bosnian crisis of 1908. So for Russia this was about regaining their dignity. Germany then attacked France because the Schleiffen Plan said so. France attacked back looking for revenge and to get back Alsace- Lorraine. Britain then declared war on Germany after feeling threatened when Germany invaded Belgium. Overall war could have been avoided, but a lack of communication between the alliances made the crisis of July 1914 ‘mismanaged’ meaning that the crisis was dealt with incompetently instead of with competence and composure like it previous conflicts had been resolved though conferences and meetings. It can also be determined that long standing rivalries were the cause because even though relations were improved they did not forget their past (alliances were not dissolved even when tensions were at heir peak low); hence the alliances were around for nearly 50 years. Historians such as Remak believe that there is no need to look for historical references for long-term causes, but in fact the WW1 was a result of an Austrian-Serbian issue and that in this crisis bad decisions were made i.e. the late ultimatum and Britain’s abrupt declaration on Germany without any negotiations.
But the question remains why war broke out in the July Crisis and not any previous crises. In the past crises foes co- operated with each other making an agreement at the end. They showed sign of good communication and negotiation. The difference was that this crisis led to war, why (?). It could be because the assassination of the archduke was the prime excuse that and the last chance Austria had to make them look powerful instead of a declining power. This made it personal and caused Austria- Hungary to take the situation into its own hands, whereas in the past more than one country was involved and they had to share out the responsibilities. But still this war could have been kept to minimal Balkan war like previous one, which had been sorted out with composure and competence.
Although the mismanaged July crisis caused the outbreak of war there were underlying tensions from long- standing rivalries, which had an affect on the outcome. What led to war in 1914 was the result of long standing rivalries with a combination of mismanagement along the way in the July crisis. In the past long standing rivalries caused crises to occur but were resolved with good management. But still, war looked inevitable for a long time, rivalries were causing heightened tensions between alliances and if this crisis did not trigger war another would have.