Was Austria-Hungary Responsible For Causing World War One?

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Alex Khairallah

23rd Sept. 2003

IB History SL

How Far Was Austria-Hungary Responsible For Causing World War One?

        Many historians believe that Germany caused World War One. Other historians believe that it was Austria-Hungary’s actions which provoked a war. However, it is fair to state that no one country was absolutely responsible for all the causes for the war, and so one country alone cannot be blamed. The immediate trigger of World War One was the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand by the Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Because of Princip’s action, Austria-Hungary sent Serbia a harsh ultimatum and granted just three days for an approval of all the terms or else there would be war. Despite Serbia’s conciliatory reply, that accepted all but two of Austria’s terms, Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Although Austria-Hungary caused the war with Serbia, it was not until Germany’s declaration of war on Russia and France in early August that the conflict transformed into World War One.

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        Austria-Hungary had many reasons to go to war, and many historians believe that the assassination of Austria’s Arch-duke was used as an “excuse” to go to war. The Habsburg government clearly over-reacted the Serbian threat. It did not take a long time after receiving the “blank cheque” from Germany for Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. Austria-Hungary had several reasons to go to war. Not too long before 1914 had the Serbian empire doubled its sizes after the war with Turkey (Ottoman Empire). Austria’s imperialistic aims were to crush Serbia to expand the empire. Austria-Hungary also wanted more control ...

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