France improved the relationship between Russia and Britain. Although Britain and Russia were enemies, competing for land in western Asia, because they both had a common future enemy – Germany, the two countries decided to sign an agreement to fight together in 1907. The alliance between France, Russia, and Britain developed friendship between the countries, known as the Triple Entente.
The Triple Alliance was a military pact made by Germany, to prevent France from regaining the region of Alsace-Lorraine. The Triple Entente was an alliance of friendship between France, and its alliance partners. The alliance system only made war more likely, for it clearly made two rival sides. Also, alliances made domino effect, or chain reactions. If one country was attacked, the other members of the alliance got involved in the war as well, making a conflict superior.
-- How far did colonial problems create tensions between the Great Powers?
Although the countries were tied by the alliances, competitions in gaining control over colonies in Africa, and the military development (also know as the Arm Race) did not stop.
Since Germany was the leader in military organization, the other European countries copied the universal conscription, large reserves and the detailed planning of the Prussian System. For many years, countries worked on increasing their armaments and troops (though, the Britain did not have to worry about their number of weapons, since their armies were very large already). As one country developed it armies or weapons, the other countries also did the same. Between 1870 and 1914, the armies of France and Germany doubled it size.
Armies, navies, and naval forces were greatly expanded. As this happened, imperialism also increased the rivalry of the European countries. Since countries such as Great Britain, Germany, and France needed to gain new foreign markets and new sources of raw materials, they competed for economic expansion in Africa. Germany and Italy were late in entering the “race for colonies”, and were desperate to catch up with Britain and France. Imperialism made colonial rivalries, and increased jealousy and mistrust among the countries.
The first Morocco Crisis in 1905-1906, and the second Morocco Crisis in 1911, almost led the European countries into war. These crises made a stronger bond between Britain and France, but also worsened the relationships of two rival sides, Germany and France. The colonial problems led WWI even more likely, and developed the tension of war.
-- Why were problems in the Balkans so difficult for the Great Powers to solve?
The Balkans was controlled by three great powers, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungarian Empire, and the Russian Empire. After Serbia and the other Balkan states gained independence (except for Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1878, the Slav nationalists in Serbia aimed to become more powerful and take control over the other states. Though, a belief in Pan-Slavism wanted Russia to control them. This was because Russia was very powerful, and could protect them.
Austria feared the expansion of Serbia. If Serbia became powerful, Austria knew that the empire would be broken. In 1912, the first Balkan War was held. Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro fought against Turkey which was under the Ottoman Empire in order to gain more land. Russia wanted to help Serbia and Bulgaria, because they wanted to be able to use the Mediterranean Sea to get to Black Sea (Crimean War blocked the Mediterranean Sea from Russia). Although Russia tried to support Serbia and Bulgaria, Austria did not allow them to, because they did not want Serbia to gain land and become powerful.
Similar to the Franco-Prussian War, in 1913, after Turkey was defeated, the countries argued on who controlled the land. Bulgaria attacked Serbia and Greece, which started the second Balkan War. This time, Serbia, Turkey, Greece, and Romania fought against Bulgaria. Soon, Bulgaria was defeated, and most of its land was taken away. The treaty of Bucha was made between the countries.
The problems in the Balkans were difficult for the Great Powers to solve, because Serbia just wanted to expand its land. They wanted to keep on increasing its size, and become more powerful, and control other lands. Although the Austrians could no longer control Serbia.
-- How did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to war?
On June 28, 1914, assassination took place in Sarajevo, a Bosnian city. Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir throne of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. This was planned in order to “prepare for the Slavic revolution”, but eventually became one of the causes of WWI.
Austria used the assassination to attack Serbia. In order to do this, they asked for the support of Germany. Although the German leaders were aware of the domino effect of attacking Serbia, they supported Austria.
Since Germany and Austria wanted a quick attack on Serbia, so that other countries would not get involved, an ultimatum was sent. When the ultimatum was sent to Serbia in July 23,1914, which demanded Serbia to abolish all ‘anti-Austrian activities’, and allow Austria to investigate the assassination of Francis Ferdinand. Serbia accepted to the ultimatum, but did not allow Austria to investigate the murder. This caused Austria to declare war on Serbia on July 28.
When Austria attacked Serbia, as the German leaders had anticipated, Russia prepared to attack Austria. Germany warned Russia to stop the preparation, but because Russia did not listen, Germany attacked Russia on August 1. Two days later, Germany also declared war against France which was Russia’s ally.
Germany planned to invade France through Belgium, but unfortunately Belgium refused this. On August 3, Germany invaded Belgium. The British then became involved in the war, for they had promised Belgium could be neutral, and not get involved in wars. Also, the British had to join in the war because if they didn’t, Germany would control the continent of Europe. In less than six weeks, the domino effect had caused Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium and Britain to fight against Germany and Austria-Hungary.
The assassination of Ferdinand was not the only cause of WWI, but it allowed the European countries to have a reason in starting a conflict. From Austria’s simple plan of a quick attack on Serbia, the domino effect had caused other countries to get involved, building the attack to the first World War. It was not until 1918, when the WWI finally showed its end.
--What caused the First World War? The nationalism of each country, competitions in the military and imperialism, and the alliance system gradually built the tension of the world war. The assassination of Ferdinand was what allowed a conflict to break out, which was developed in to WWI by the domino effect.
when the Balkans were controlled by the three great powers,
the border lines weren't made clearly
they didn't know who owned what
so that made everything complicating also,
***the Balkan War could of been a bigger war.
If Russia had joined into the first Balkan war, it would of made WWI come faster, since Russia would of influenced other countries to get involved
and another thing
***the Balkan war was different from other wars
this was because they had an alliance system
in other war they didn't
if they didn't have the alliance system, the Balkan war would not have cause WWI
alliance system = domino effect = get other countries involved
•-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bibliography
- Causes of World War I
[online]Available
- Class Notes
- History of the World, The MODERN Era
author: Harris, Davis; Laue ,Von; Scholl, Perry
publisher: Houghton Mifflin
- The Origins of the First World War
author: Giles Pope
year: 2002
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