During the turn of the twentieth century a powerful fervor prevailed throughout Europe. Industrialization boomed, and nations soared to a brand new level of success never seen before. This aura of new achievements and new ideas kindled a nationalist flair among citizens and their countries. Whether it be from successes of the state, or the unification of a common culture despite existing political boundaries, the people experienced a new and thrilling sensation of identity. Such a flame unleashed rebellious sparks, igniting the “powder keg” of Europe, launching the Great War. Contrary to prevalent belief, both the Central Powers and the Allied Powers spawned and heightened the Great War through taking new, albeit excessive measures to settle an accumulation …show more content…
The explosive Serbia was located between two old multinational empires, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire (Document 2). These empires feared the nearby rebellion, as it held the potential to spark revolt in nations within the empire, and likely result in their crumble. Consequently, Austria-Hungary states within the Austro-Hungarian Red Book No. 7, “[The] Royal Government [of Austria-Hungary] see themselves compelled to demand from the Royal Serbian Government a formal assurance that they condemn this dangerous propaganda against the monarchy…” (Document 3). For an uninvolved country to go to the extent of issuing an ultimatum certainly displays how the Central Powers transformed yet another rebellion into “the war to end all wars”. Germany also took rather outrageous measures to defend their fellow ally. As displayed in the chart of per capita expenditures of the Great Powers on armaments, growth of Germany’s military spending far surpassed that of other nations by a whopping 540%, or increasing by almost seven U.S. dollars in the years leading up to the war (Document 1). Such an increase on military spending raised suspicion that war would be initiated among the European powers. As tensions escalated, these excessive actions taken by the Central Powers would transform Serbia’s revolution …show more content…
During the brink of the century, fierce competition among the European powers escalated with the rise of industrialization and imperialism for colonies. For instance, France joined the Allied Forces with claims of defense, but they were suspected to have an ulterior motive that seeked the vengeance of their economic and militaristic rival— Germany (Document 7). Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, who served as leader of the German delecation in the Versailles Peace Conference, asserts that Germany is not alone guilty, and also describes that recent imperialism “has chronically poisoned international relations” (Document 5). Despite these protests, Article 231 of the Versailles Treaty, better known as the War Guilt Clause, places full responsibility and consequences on Germany, specifically, and their allies for causing all of the damages and losses (Document 4). Several present-day historians also challenge the War Guilt clause, with cases proving all countries to be, in part, responsible to a bolder or slighter extent. Sidney Bradshaw Fay provides his stance on the controversial topic through his book Origins of the World War, that each European power had leaders which either initiated military mobilization or they have failed to prevent such an outcome
BPQ#2- The Second World War was “deliberate and planned-perhaps even desired
In late June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was gunned down in Sarajevo while visiting Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. The successful assassination of the Archduke by the Serbian nationalists was nothing short of a miracle. One of the many breaks of luck the assassins were gifted was a wrong turn by the Archduke’s driver. This led to the heir apparent sitting stationary only feet away from Princip and his revolver. Princip’s unlikely success sparked what was considered a powdered keg in Europe, launching the continent into the bloodiest war in world history up to that point.
The beginning of the 1920s started out peacefully, but by the end of the decade and throughout the 1930s, signs of war were starting to show. Although World War I had ended in victory for the Allies and post - war objectives by the victorious nations had been met and successfully maintained, these underlying causes created the longest and bloodiest war the world had seen. Countries such as Germany, Italy, and Japan started taking aggressive actions. The British Prime Minister Chamberlain suggested that the best way to deal with Hitler was by making a policy of appeasement. European nations waited for the worst before forcing Hitler to halt his invasive actions.
As stated by Neiberg, “European diplomacy expected the Austrians, who for the first time in years could legitimately play the role of victims, to use the incident as an excuse to demand some concession from Serbia…” (66) People though that Austria-Hungary will demand territory or money but no one expected war out of this crisis. The assassination of the archduke on June 28, 1914, was used as an opportunity for the Austria-Hungary Empire to expand their influence into the Balkan area in order to control the Balkan area. However before the Austria-Hungary empire threatens Serbia, they first secured an alliance with Germany. Interesting how that once they secured an alliance with Germany they automatically send in an ultimatum to Serbia. It was as if Austria-Hungary had some sort of plan to execute and needed the support and alliance from the rising military power Germany.
Hitler was the main aggressor during 1939 who everyone appeased to, who is infamously known for his rise to power, his persecution of Jews, and his attacks on the world to dominate, that killed so many. Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, believed in the policy of appeasement and appeased Hitler at the Munich Conference which eventually lead to the start of World War II. The Western Powers responded to aggression with appeasement, and in 1939 the world was plunged into World War II, proving to the world that collective security is a better response to aggression. Hitler’s aggression was the main reason why Allied powers felt the need to appease. In 1930, after the Reichstag fire, Adolf Hitler rose to power because he was appointed
In 1914, the First World War commenced. The outbreak of war was a result of a number of factors, however, many historians argue that German policies were the main feature for the start of the war. Therefore, this essay will address the question: to what extent did German policies lead to WWI? Firstly, it is extremely unjust to state Germany as the only country to blame for the war and make it pay the harsh punishments the Treaty of Versailles forced them to.
Militarization of European countries Strong nationalistic feelings of pride from the citizens of each European power resulted in a militaristic and economic competition. This created a race between different countries. Germany’s Grand
It is touted as the main reason behind the increment in rivalry amongst European nations (Waugh, 2001). The arms race should indeed shoulder some blame for igniting war as it led to the mobilizing and production of armies and weapons on an unprecedented scale. This made war inevitable because nations could not simply dispose all the weapons which they have produced. Russia’s conscripting of over one million men could be used to illustrate this theory (Waugh, 2009). Had the Russians opted against war, where would all these men go?
Although Germany is often painted as the sole belligerent in the onset of the Great War, it is evident by actions taken during and before the July crisis that Germany played no larger role than other European nations. These actions include the Russian empire’s decision to mobilize in addition to their support of Serbia as well as Serbia’s unwillingness to accept consequences sent by Austria-Hungry. The Kingdom of Serbia’s actions leading up to as well as during the July Crisis can be labeled as the reason for an outbreak of war in Europe. Serbia’s failure to act against the Black Hand terrorist and inability to accept the consequence of its actions directly or indirectly aiding this radical group.
In the July Crisis Austria-Hungary censured Serbia for the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the beneficiary to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) notwithstanding not having definitive verification. Austria-Hungary requested German backing to "dispense with Serbia as a force consider the Balkans". Germany concurred, offering her full backing for Austria- Hungary to begin a war with Serbia, and this got to be known as the "unlimited free pass". Austria-Hungary and Germany couldn't have neglected to understand the likelihood of Russian mediation and an European war, proposing to me that war was their target. Austria-Hungary issued an inconceivable final proposal to Serbia, which was prone to incite a war.
From the turn of the 20th century, Imperial Germany was the most formidable empire in Europe. Her army was the greatest in number, strength, and discipline. As a result, it was no surprise that the Germans called it the Great War, with the confidence that they would conquer and defeat the whole of Europe quickly. Just as the Central Powers’ success depended on the strength of Germany, the Allies depended on Britain, the nation that served as the armourer and financier, driven by her sea control over commerce and trade. Immediately after the war began, it became clear that for an Axis victory to take place, Germany had to defeat Britain.
The Unpreventable Great War World War I was one of the most devastating and destructive events that occurred during history. It was inevitable to happen due to three main factors including, militarism, nationalism, and alliances between certain countries. However, there are other people who believe that World War I was not inevitable and could have been prevented through certain measures. This source describes that World War I could have been prevented if there were more stable and successful negotiations between countries. However, due to the lack of peaceful negotiations between certain countries, many conflicts arose because of desires to expand military and navels.
Serbian Nationalism and the First World War Nationalism is a patriotic feeling, common to a whole nation. Historians tend to blame the actions that lead to the Great War on the nationalism of the nations in Europe, which lead to international tensions. It made countries feel superior and also gave them the desire for political independence. In the Balkans, it was Serbian nationalism that was significant to the outbreak of the war. (“Nationalism”)
Pre-WW1 Europe was a mess of alliances, differing ideologies, imperialistic rivalries, rising militarism, and nationalistic ideas that all contributed to the eventual war to
In the first half of the twentieth century, Europe suffered incessant and unprecedented detrimental effects of their political decisions. They were inciting the wars. Wars seemed to be a normal method for the countries to protect their territories and interest and solve the conflicts, but the wars like World War One and World War Two which happened in the first half of the twentieth century were different from others. They are the closest counterfeits of total war, in which the countries engaged devote themselves to war by total mobilization, sacrificing lives, or other ways like economically and socially to fight for a victory. The distinction between soldier and civilian seemed to be continuously eroded amid the wars.