Causes of World War I
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/wwi/wwicauses.htm
· Background to the Crises
· Britain abandons “Splendid Isolation”
· Crises leading to the Great War
· The Outbreak of War
In the late 1800s, the main global powers are Britain, France and Russia. Also on the global scene are Italy and the Austro-Hungary. Germany, which was formerly a bunch of independent German states, unites as one nation.
Background to the Crises
In January 1871, German unification takes place under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck (Chancellor) and Kaiser William I.
· During the 1880s, Germany signs a series of treaties with Russia in order to remain on good terms with them. France is left out.
In 1888, William I dies. His successor, Frederick, dies 3 months later. The Kaiser William II follows.
· William II takes a different approach to German foreign policy. It is an approach that conflicts with Otto von Bismarck’s vision for Germany:
1) William II no longer sees any need to stay friends with Russia
2) He also wants to build up Germany’s navy.
In 1890, Bismarck resigns as Chancellor. In that same year, William II decides not to renew Germany’s treaties with Russia.
· Russia is annoyed with Germany’s decision not to renew their treaties. Russia decides to ally itself with France.
· Both France and Russia agree to help the other if it is attacked.
This Russo-French alliance – known as the Dual Entente – makes Germany nervous.
Meanwhile, Germany, Italy and Austro-Hungary have formed a similar alliance for themselves.
It is known as the Triple Alliance.
By 1895, then, Europe is divided into two alliances:
Britain abandons “Splendid Isolation”
Up to this point, the other great power – Britain – had prided itself in its policy of Splendid Isolation. This meant that Britain would only concern itself with British Empire matters and that it wouldn’t get caught up in any alliance.
· By 1900, however, Britain sees that it needs to change its tune, for several reasons:
a) Relations with Germany
- Britain saw Germany’s navy growing, which challenged British naval supremacy
b) European alliances
- Most of the main European nations were now part of alliances, and Britain didn’t want to be left out.
c) International tensions
- Britain hadn’t been getting along with some of the more powerful countries like France and Russia, and it wanted to work these differences out.
d) Economic competition
- Britain’s economic supremacy was being challenged by other European countries – and also by the U.S.A.
· As a result, Britain tried to get back onto the international scene by taking three main steps:
1. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902)
- Each country promises that if one of them goes to war with just one country, the other will remain neutral. But once it goes to war against two countries, then the other would fight.
2. The Entente Cordiale (1904)
- Britain makes peace with France, and both agree to help each other build their empires. They agree that Egypt can have control over Egypt and France can have control over Morocco.
3. The Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)
- As a result, in 1907 Britain now also makes peace with Russia, and Britain joins the alliance to make it the Triple Entente.
- Germany responds by claiming that the Triple Entente is evidence of a policy of encirclement (ie. a military threat). Germany starts to build up its military forces even more.
Crises leading to the Great War
1. The Tangiers Speech (1905)
2. Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1908)
3. The Agadir Crisis (1911)
4. The Balkan Wars (1912-13)
Crisis #1: The Tangiers Speech (1905)
Kaiser William II begins antagonizing France regarding its attempts to take over Morocco. He also continued to build up Germany’s navy. This nearly led to war in 1905.
· In 1905, the Kaiser travelled to Tangiers (in Morocco) and gave a speech in which he supported Morocco’s independence and called for an international conference to discuss Morocco’s future. This speech was intended to frustrate the French and to test the Entente Cordiale.
· The conference took place in 1906 (the Algerciras Conference). Britain supported France – to the disappointment of Germany. In the end, it was decided that Morocco would be independent, but that France would play a role in establishing internal order there.
Crisis #2: Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1908)
In 1908, Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina.
· Serbia protested this annexation because many Serbians lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
o Russia – who opposed Austria – supported Serbia’s protest.
o In response, Germany supported Austria.
o War didn’t break out because the countries were not militarily prepared yet, but it did serve as a “dress rehearsal” for the Great War. The alliances were tested by the crisis, and each side responded accordingly.
Crisis #3: The Agadir Crisis (1911)
· In 1911, the Sultan in Morocco was having trouble keeping his country under control so he asked the French to send in troops to help. When the French sent in troops, Germany was adamantly opposed.
o Germany decided to send two boats in reponse – a gunboat and a cruiser – to the port of Agadir (on Morocco’s coast) in an effort to “protect Germany’s interests”. Britain supported France and accused Germany of “bullying” tactics.
o Germany backed down, but demanded that if the French were to have such a strong presence in Morocco, then Germany should be entitled to more land in Africa – which they obtained.
Crisis #4: The Balkan Wars (1912 – 1913)
Following the collapse of Turkish power in the Balkans, there was a power vacuum in the area. Serbia emerged as the most powerful Balkan state, and declared its intention to unite all Serbs under one nation.
· This increased the tension between Serbia and Austria, who still controlled Bosnia and Herzegovina – home to many Serbs.
· Austria assumed that, given the tense situation, war with Serbia was inevitable. It decided to attack Serbia before it became too powerful.
The Outbreak of War
In June 1914, the heir to the Austrian throne (Archduke Franz Ferdinand) visits Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina – where many Serbs live. He is assassinated by a young Serb named Gavrilo Princip.
· Austria blames Serbia for the assassination. Backed by Germany, on July 23rd Austria demanded that Serbia meet an unreasonable ultimatum that would require Serbia to forfeit its sovereignty. Serbia tried for peace, but Austria – who had been keen on crushing Serbia for some time – declared war on July 28th, 1914.
· Russia mobilized (ie. prepared its military) to support Serbia. Germany also mobilized and warned Russia to stop its mobilization. Russia refused.
o On August 2nd – in accordance with obligations of its alliance – Germany declared war on Russia. On August 3rd, Germany also declared war on France and proceeded to invade France through Belgium. This invasion violated the terms of the Treaty of London (1839), where European nations promised not to invade Belgium.
o Germany’s violation of the Treaty of London prompted Britain to enter the war. On August 4th, Britain declared war on Germany.
o On August 5th, Canada declares war on Germany.
What Caused World War I
The assassination at Sarajevo was the event which sparked off a whole series of events which culminated in WWI’s outbreak. Although Sarajevo provided Austria with an excuse to crush Serbian power, Sarajevo itself is only a superficial reason for the outbreak of war. Behind Sarajevo lay the much wider issue of the rivalry between Austria and Russia in the Balkans. Behind that lay the rivalry of the European powers over colonies, the struggle for markets and raw goods.
Thus, while no political leader wanted a general war in 1914, as Lloyd George (Chancellor of Britain) said, the governments of Europe “stumbled and staggered into war”.