Everyone knew that if Russia did attack Austria-Hungary then the alliance system meant that Germany and France could be pulled into the war as well. The alliance system did not mean that a world war had to happen. Some say that it could still have been avoided - especially if Britain could have made Germany hold back from helping Austria-Hungary. Germany decided to go ahead and help Austria-Hungary. She declared war on Russia (1 August) and on France (3 August). The German army prepared to attack France through Belgium just as General Stiffen had planned.
The Germans wanted the British government to ignore the Treaty of London, to let the German army pass through Belgium and so keep Britain out of the war. Later that same day, 4 August 1914, Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany, which had now broken the Treaty of London. The said how foolish he thought the British were.
The short term causes are the Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium, the behaviour of Austria towards Serbia after the assassination Franz Ferdinand and the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The long term causes are the alliance system, suspicion between the main powers, Germany’s desire to dominate Europe, the size of the British Empire and Germany’s fear of being surrounded by France and Russia.
The long term causes links are the Alliance system then Germany’s desire to dominate Europe then France’s for revenge after Germany took Alsace and Lorraine in 1871 then Germany’s fear of being surrounded by France and Russia, all this are linked because if Germany did not said that Germany they dominate Europe and every countries not happy with that because they thing they dominate Europe and because they took Alsace and Lorraine in 1871 so France thought they can take the revenge on Germany fear because France and Russia are surrounded, this caused the first world war.
The short term causes linked are the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand then the behaviour of towards Serbia after the assassination Franz Ferdinand then Austria’s rivalry with Russia over Serbia and Balkans, all this are linked because Serbia did not assassination Franz Ferdinand Austria’s won’t fight with Serbia then Russia won’t fight with Austria – Hungary, this caused the first world war.
I think the most important causes are the suspicion between the main powers because Germany thinks they got the most powers and British thinks they got the most powers, so as all countries, this made the war because all the countries thinks they got more powers so they want to show they powers so they started a war. The causes is the short term causes because they assassination Archduke Franz Ferdinand this linked war between Austria – Hungary and Serbia, Serbia apart of Russia, so it Austria – Hungary and Russia, if it is Austria – Hungary that means France so this between France and Russia, if it is Russia that means Britain and France then France’s head Germany, so it is between Britain and Germany, this is how the short term caused and that made the Great War.
