WW1 – The Causes and Initiation of the Great War

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914 was the proximate cause of World War I (WW1). Yet, the events that led to the Great War go further back into the nineteenth century. As such, it is important to examine the various factors that ultimately led to one of the most significant events in human history.

The Political Climate Prior to WW1

Europe prior to WW1 was largely characterised by a competition for power between various countries. A key factor was the intense rivalries between countries. This was driven by various things such as economic growth, imperialistic tendencies, ethnic tensions, and rivalries between states. In particular, the economic rivalries between Britain and Germany, and Austria-Hungary and Serbia, were key features of the European power dynamics in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The other important factor in the lead up to WW1 was the military alliances between countries. These were largely defined by a system known as the Triple Entente or the Triple Alliance. This system was made up of two main alliances – the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy and the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia. Each side had formed an alliance with the other, pledging military support and in some cases economic aid.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo in June 1914 was the immediate event that triggered WW1. The event was carried out by a radical Serbian nationalist group known as the Black Hand and was motivated by both political and ethnic factors. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand triggered a series of diplomatic stand-offs, military mobilisations, and political manoeuvrings that ultimately led to the outbreak of war in August 1914.

The Outbreak of War

Given the already tense political climate prior to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, it was almost inevitable that diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue would fail. This is exactly what happened and despite various attempts by countries to find a peaceful resolution, the hostilities between the countries of Europe quickly escalated into an all-out war. On 28 July, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Germany, which then declared war on both Russia and France. Soon the entire continent of Europe was in a state of war.

Conclusion

The factors that led to the outbreak of WW1 are varied and complex. Political, economic and ethnic tensions all played a role, as did the system of military alliances that had developed in Europe prior to the war. Ultimately, it took the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand to push the various countries towards war, although it was clear that the tensions were already running high. WW1 would remain the largest conflict the world had ever seen up until that point, and its impact can still be felt today.