Causes of WWI (approx ) By: Jarred Gillie, Richey Puntarelli

Overview Of all the events that catalyzed the onset of WWI in 1914, most can be placed into one or more of four general categories. Alliance Systems (including Bismarck’s alliances) Ongoing arms race/Forced mobilization New Imperialism/Struggle for colonial power Rampant nationalism These broad categories represent the root causes of World War I. The following timeline of important events leading up to the outbreak of war in 1914 has been arranged in chronological order.

League of the Three Emperors (October 22, 1873) The League of the Three Emperors was a rather unstable alliance between Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria- Hungary and Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. It was initially renewed in 1881, 1884, and expired in 1887.

Congress of Berlin (13 June – 13 July 1878) The Congress of Berlin was an attempt by Bismarck to get the major powers to cooperate in order to resolve territorial issues in the Balkans as well as Africa. It ended the scramble for Africa.

Formation of the Dual Alliance (October 7, 1879) The Dual Alliance was between Germany and Austria, and stating that either country would back the other if they became involved in war. Its primary goal was to isolate France.

Tri ple Alliance (1882) The Triple Alliance was an agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy to back one another if they became involved in war. It was an expansion of the Double Alliance. This alliance was meant to protect Germany from the two-front war that it so feared. It was a great threat to the allied powers, and they subsequently countered with the Triple Entente. It was responsible for a heightening of tensions throughout Europe.

Reinsurance Treaty (June 18, 1887) The Reinsurance Treaty was a secret agreement between Germany and Russia, and stated that if one got into war, the other would remain neutral.

Wilhelm II Takes Power (June 15, 1888) On June 15, 1888 Wilhelm II took power as the emperor of Germany. He would influence politics in Germany up until his abdication in 1918.

Bismarck Resigns (1890) Bismarck resigns at the behest of Wilhelm II in 1890, and a swift change in foreign policy becomes evident.

Tirpitz becomes Secretary of State (1897) Admiral von Tirpitz is appointed to Secretary of State of the Imperial Navy by Wilhelm II. He would later go on to develop risk theory.

The First Naval Law (1897) The First Naval Law was the first in a set of laws brought about by Wilhelm II and Admiral Tirpitz designed to increase the power of the German navy by building more battleships. It was added to in 1900, and this was a direct cause in the escalation of the arms race in Europe as Great Britain countered by increasing its naval output as well. The Naval Laws were largely pushed by Kaiser Wilhelm II, but were helped along by Tirpitz, who had recently founded the idea of risk theory. This stated that if the German navy were large enough, even if defeat were not possible, they could cause so much damage to the British Navy that they would acknowledge the risk and simply not attack.

The Second Boer War ( ) The Second Boer War was fought between the Great Britain and the native Boers of South Africa. It ended the splendid isolation Britain had been it.

Franco-Italian Agreement (1902) The Franco-Italian Agreement was a secret meeting in 1902 in which Italy pledged not to attack France if war broke out among the countries involved in the Triple Alliance. It effectively nullified the Triple Alliance.

Berlin-Baghdad Railway (1903) The Berlin-Baghdad Railway was a railway built primarily by Germany that connected Berlin to the then Ottoman Baghdad. It caused international problems, and caused suspicions that Germany had influence in the middle east.

The Schlieffen Plan (1905) The Schlieffen Plan was a plan for a hypothetical military offensive that would be launched at the outset of war by Germany in order to quickly gain the upper hand. It was devised by Count Alfred von Schlieffen. The Schlieffen plan called for a quick mobilization to meet the French in Belgium, and quickly knocking them out. The Russians would be too slow to mobilize, and with the French out of the fight early, Britain would not join the war. This war plan created a need for other countries to create mobilization plans as well, which in turn fueled the arms race. This only put more strain on the beleaguered relations between the great powers.

First Moroccan Crisis ( ) The First Moroccan Crisis arose after Germany tried to use the issue of Morocco’s independence to create trouble between France and Britain. Instead, it strengthened the Anglo- French entente cordiale.

Anglo-Russian Entente (1907) The Anglo-Russian Entente was created in order to oppose the growing power of Imperial Germany. It would later grow into the Triple Entente when France joined as well.

Bosnian Crisis ( ) The Bosnian Crisis occurred when Austria- Hungary attempted to annex Bosnia- Herzogovina.

The Second Moroccan Crisis (July 1, 1911) In 1911, Germany again sought to test the resolve of British intervention by sending the gunboat Panther to a Moroccan port. It diffused, but added tensions overall.

First Balkan War (1912) The First Balkan War broke out in 1912 and lasted until It saw the Balkan League comprised of Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, and Bulgaria pitted against the crumbling remains of the Ottoman Empire. This decisive move broke the remains of the long declining rule of the Ottoman Empire, and quickly established new territory to be distributed. This was very important as it added tensions as the news Balkan powers would fight again over how to distribute the territory taken from the Ottoman Empire, and it marked the death of the Ottoman Empire. The First Balkan War would directly cause the Second Balkan War, as a result of territory disputes.

Second Balkan War (1913) The Second Balkan War broke out when Bulgaria attacked Serbia and Greece. It was a direct result of the resolution of the First Balkan War, where Bulgaria was upset with the land distribution of the newly gained Ottoman territories.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914) On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Bosnian- Serb assassins. The assassination had been planned for a long time, and had multiple members involved in the conspiracy. The assassination is important first and foremost because it led quite directly to the start of World War I. It was the culmination of a series of different problems, most notably under the guise of nationalism. It dragged several countries into war, and then alliances forced even more into war. This domino effect started WWI.

Why did the First World War break out in 1914? TreatiesNationalismArms RaceBreaking Point  Many organized by Bismarck  League of Three Emperors  Reinsurance Treaty  Dual Alliance/ Triple Alliance  Triple Entente  Serbia very strong  Pan-Germans  Pan-Slavists  French want Alsace-Loraine  Germany wants to isolate France  Wilhelm II takes full control of Germany  Imperialism  Congress of Berlin  Moroccan Crisis  Fashoda  Boer War  Bosnian Crisis  Balkan Wars  Britain belief that they have the “God given right” to rule the seas  British launch of Dreadnaught  Wilhelm II expanding Germany Navy  Military Timetables  Schlieffen Plan  Russo-Japanese War  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Why did the First World War break out in 1914? Thesis: Through long-term use of militarily implicating treaties, the rampant growth of nationalism, and an ongoing arms race, it can clearly be seen that with the culmination of tensions in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in 1914, there was little other choice but war. Many treaties were organized and arranged by Bismarck. They united the countries that would eventually fight each other in World War I: Triple Alliance, Germany, Austria and Italy, and the Triple Entente, Britain, France, and Russia. All countries wanted to be considered powerful and have colonies. This sparked many nationalist movements in many different countries, especially the Balkans. The Balkans were a spheres of influence to begin with, but now the countries are fighting to become the dominant power. Bulgaria and Serbia often fight, but Serbia comes out on top. The Congress of Berlin settles the rules for colonization. Britain has many colonies, but also encounters many conflicts which make them realize they cannot be isolationists. Wilhelm II was Germany to overtake the status of Britain as a power. He wants a larger navy, even though Britain rules the seas. Britain launches the Dreadnaught which makes all other ships out of date. The Russian military weaknesses are shown in the loss Russo-Japanese War. Russia mobilizes fearing a German attack, causing the Schlieffen Plan to be formed. The assassination of the Archduke was the last straw which enacted the alliance system, drawing many countries into war with their Nationalistic tendencies.

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