What do you think? Give you feedback now! :)

This is an essay I wrote for the causes of WWI. Rember: No plagerism. Any positve critism is welcomed. :)

Causes of WWI

The assassination of the successor of the throne of Austria-Hungary was not the only cause of World War I. Many causes contributed to the beginning of World War I like for example, nationalism, in which people would want to do anything to defend or do something for their country. In addition, Alliances of the countries in Europe and loyalties between countries, in which many declared war on each other and resulted in many threats. Furthermore, the fact that none of the countries wanted to give up in their decisions. Also, an economic and imperial competition and fear of war prompted military alliances and an arms race, which further led the tension contributing to the outbreak of war.

First let’s start with the assassination of the successor of Austria-Hungary, after the assassination of Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of doing nothing to prevent this kind of violence, like in document 2 “The Royal Government has done nothing to repress these movements”. In addition, AustriaHungary government gave an ultimatum to Serbia that they will have to recognize to the public world the violence that is occurring and that they are against to this violence. This assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.

Alliances played a big role in World War I. Austria-Hungary did not know if Serbian government had anything to do with this, but they did not care. They wanted to attack Serbia but they feared of Russian intervention, in consequence they allied with Germany, which totally supported Austria-Hungary. Russia’s response was a mobilization in which they were ready to fight if they had to. Germany reacted quickly and gave an ultimatum to Russia to stop the mobilization of their troops, but Russia ignored the warning. The German general planned to invade, declare war on France and also he planned to attack Russia. The German troops had to cross through Belgium and gave them an ultimatum, however Belgium was neutral. Great Britain declared war on Germany because they did not respect Belgium’s neutrality. At the same time an alliance grew between France, Great Britain and Russia being the Triple Entente. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy which later joined the war were the Triple Alliance. Now all the great powers of Europe were at war.

Furthermore, in Document 5, According to the German General they were not the only cause of the war but in the last fifty years, European states has chronically poisoned international relations, also policies of retaliation, policies of expansion and to gain power contributed significantly to the war. These factors also contributed to the war, a German desire for greater power and international influence, which sparked a naval arms race with Britain, who responded by building new and greater warships. A French desire for revenge against Germany following disastrous defeat in 1871. Russia's anxiety to restore some semblance of national prestige after almost a decade of civil strife and a battering at the hands of the Japanese military in 1905 caused their desire to gain more power. Nationalism was a big part of the war as well, where people would do anything for their countries, and countries would not give until they got what they wanted.

In conclusion, World War I was not only caused by one reason, but instead there were many reasons which led to the war. World War I causes were like a pot in an oven, where the causes of the war were accumulating as the temperature rise in the pot, until it finally they decided to go the war, or in the oven the water started to boil. The assassination of the successor of Austria-Hungary, Germany’s desire for power, alliances between countries, and French revenge against Germany led to World War I.