Since 1817 was the balance of power in Europe through his rearrangement after the Napoleonic Wars disturbed. Until the outbreak of First World War 1914 Numerous events took place that created an ever-increasing field of tension between the great powers. The Sarajevo assassination and the July Crisis are considered to be the key events that caused this tension to erupt in the form of the First World War.
Causes of World War I – summary
Of the First World War was not a war that was suddenly unleashed without great warning. It started over decades and was finally set in motion by the actions of a young man.
The political situation in Europe was at least since the Empire founded in 1871 tense. There was little trust between the various states, especially between the great powers France, Great Britain, Russia and the German Reich. Otto von Bismarck developed one complicated alliance politicsto stand against one war on two fronts hedge and distrust to dismantle
as Emperor William II 1890 however the foreign policy took it into his own hands, he aspired to one more aggressive foreign and colonial policy – the alliances fell apart. Thus new alliances developed between the European states and Germany became increasing isolated. Wilhelm II also pursued the goal of making the German Empire stronger sea power to make, and therefore started with the Expansion of the Imperial Navy. Again he did this British Navy Competition, which is why they also began building new warships.
At this arms race the other major powers also took part, since the tense situation already suggested that a war was imminent and now it was unavoidable. than then on June 28, 1914 the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek at a fatal attack died, broke the so-called July Crisis from which turn into the First World War flowed.
Causes First World War Prehistory – the long-term triggers
Before looking at the direct causes of the First World War, it is important to get an idea of the political landscape and the tense situation in Europe close. On the one hand, the Foreign policy of Otto von Bismarckthe former Prime Minister of Prussia, and on the other hand that of the former German Emperor Wilhelm II. These developments can be long term trigger of the First World War can be viewed.
Figure 1: Map of Europe in 1871
Alliance policy of Bismarck
In principle, the war was already brewing in the 1870s years ago, that is, at the time of German Empire. Otto von Bismarck was the German foreign minister and went after a complicated alliance system before which the relationships between the great powers should change significantly.
Goals
Bismarck aimed at the Elimination of mistrust between the great powers away. This played mostly after the War in Sight Crisis of 1875 an important role.
The War in Sight Crisis developed as diplomatic crisis after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. This was driven by mistrustsince under Bismarck there had already been three wars in a very short space of time:
- German-Danish War 1864,
- German-German War 1866,
- Franco-Prussian War 1870/71.
Bismarck was therefore as Warmonger respected and the founding of the German Empire in 1871 also made its neighboring states nervous. The title of a newspaper article from April 8, 1875 gave this crisis its name: «Is war in sight?«
He explained this to build new trust German Empire for «saturated«, that is, «saturated». For this reason, Bismarck led a moderate colonial policywhich did not aim to establish new colonies.
under one colonial policy refers to the creation of colonies within the framework of colonialism and imperialism and the associated exercise of colonial rule in these areas by the colonial powers.
Seen internationally, Bismarck planned the Isolation of Francesince he considered it threat saw for Germany. The German Reich was already in one Alliance with Austria-Hungarybut also needed an alliance for the widest possible scope in Europe Russia. Since Bismarck feared that Russia because of its interests in the Balkans to the potential opponent could become Austria-Hungary, he wanted no one-sided or too tight Binding of the German Reich to Russia.
Alliance systems and Bismarckian agreements
Bismarck’s foreign policy was based on one complicated alliance systemwhich of secret diplomacy such as power politics was shaped and could not be maintained under his successors. These alliances also played an important role in the formation of the tensions between great powers.
It was particularly important to Bismarck that there should not be an alliance between Russia and France or Russia and Great Britain war on two fronts against the German Reich. For this he agreed on the so-called Three Emperors Agreement with Russia and Austria-Hungary.
Furthermore, there was a secret agreement between Germany and Austria-Hungary dual alliancewhich the two parties military support assured if one of the states should be attacked by Russia. away 1879 also existed Triple Alliance between the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and Italy – this also closed in 1883, in a secret deal, Romania on.
It was also secret reinsurance contract between the German Reich and Russia, which since 1887 duration. This one should in the event of a war with another state, the other neutrality assure.
Here is a simplified summary of Bismarck’s alliance policy:
- from 1873: Three Emperors Alliance (Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary),
- from 1879: dual alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany),
- from 1879: Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Italy, Germany),
- from 1883: Romania joined the Triple Alliance,
- 1887-1890: reinsurance contract (Germany, Russia).
foreign policy of Wilhelm II.
To Bismarck’s dismissal in 1890 took over Emperor William II. even the tasks of the German foreign minister. In contrast to Bismarckwho after his defensive alliance system proceeded, strived William II. for Germany one «place in the sun» on. In his reign, Germany went to an active colonial policy in Africa above. With him began the heyday of the imperialism for Germany.
You can also find a separate article on Wilhelm II here on . Also interesting: the article explaining Wilhelm II’s personal regiment in more detail!
Isolation of Germany
William II. led the Bismarckian alliance systems not further. They decayed and Germany was as a result in the following years isolated This is what Bismarck had tried to prevent.
1894 the Franco-Russian Dual Allianceat which Russia and France officially merged. In addition, approached Russia also on England on. they closed 1907 a eAnglo-Russian reconciliation of interests. France and Great Britain closed 1904 the Entente CordialeWhich 1907 With Russia to the Triple Entente has been expanded.
Germany was therefore international as far as possible isolated. This was particularly evident in the Moroccan Crisisin the Germany only from Austria was supported.
crises
Next to the Isolation Germanys some made their way crises at, the the tensions until outbreak of war more and more aggravated.
Bosnian Crisis 1908In the year 1908 annexed Austria-Hungary Bosnia and Herzegovina completely. Serbia tried though Austria-Hungary however, preventing the annexation alone could not cope. It had gained support from his ally Russia hoped. However, this was with own domestic crises employed. So remained Serbia’s resistance unsuccessful and reluctantly had to Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina through Austria-Hungary accept.
Under annexation one understands the violent and illegal appropriation of a foreign territory.
Moroccan Crisis 1911Morocco became crisis area, after this Kaiser Wilhelm II, as threatening gesture against the French expansion in Morocco, a German warship after Agadir had sent. This so-called «Panther Leap» but was unsuccessful Germany had to French supremacy above Morocco recognize.
Balkan Crisis 1912/13In the years 1912/1913 it came to First Balkan War. Here led Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Bulgaria a war of aggression against that Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was internationally isolated and lost most of its territories in this conflict Balkan Peninsula. Serbia thus achieved its maximum territorial spread – but planned further expansions. Austria-Hungary was openly opposed to this expansion efforts and staged himself as Balance Keeper of the forces in the Balkans. These power games and thus the growing tensions in the Balkans and between Austria-Hungary and Serbia are also referred to as «powder keg«, whose «explosion» led to the First World War.
World War I causes arms race
This played a particularly important role when it comes to the causes of the First World War in connection with the German Empire arms race. The tense international situation, combined with opaque alliances and agreements, meant that the great powers prepared for increasing conflicts. This inevitably led to increased armaments effortthere a War already as unavoidable was viewed.
was before Great Britain the predominant fleet nation been. This wanted Wilhelm II. competitor make and started at the beginning of the 20th century with that Expansion of the Imperial Navy. Of course, this did not go unnoticed by the British Navy, so they too 1904 began building more and larger warships. This rapid arms race among the major powers further reinforced the unsettled mood in Europe.
However, the enormous expansion of the Imperial Navy was to prove itself in the course of the First World War huge bad investment expose. If you want to learn more about it, then read the article World War I U-boats, which explains the topic in more detail.
Causes of the First World War simply explained
Although these political developments also contributed as long-term triggers, so to speak, to the outbreak of the First World War, there are two events that are particularly in focus when it comes to the direct causes of the First World War – the assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 and the July crisis that followed. They were basically the straw that finally broke the camel’s back.
Assassination attempt in Sarajevo
Of the heir to the throne from Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie Chotek visited on June 28, 1914 the Capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo. Since the press publishes the exact date of the visit and the protocol of the visit…