Who was to Blame for the Start of the First World War? (AQA GCSE History): Revision Note

Who was to Blame for the Start of the First World War? - Summary

Who was to blame for the First World War? The answer depends on your opinion, however, all of the major European powers played a role. Traditionally, Germany has been seen as responsible. Germany's aggressive foreign policies and support for Austria-Hungary made it a major player in the events leading up to the war.

After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued a ten-point ultimatum, leading to war. Germany backed Austria-Hungary with a 'blank cheque', showing they would support them no matter what, which encouraged Austria-Hungary to take a strong stand against Serbia.

Meanwhile, France and Russia formed alliances that worried Germany, making it feel surrounded or 'encircled'. This fear led Germany to prepare for war. Finally, when Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war to protect Belgium, due to the 1839 Treaty of London.

While Germany played a key role, the actions of Austria-Hungary, Serbia, France, Russia, and Britain all contributed to the outbreak of the First World War.

Long-term causes of the First World War

• The long-term causes of the First World War are very significant to the start of the First World War

• They can be remembered as M.A.I.N

  • Militarism

  • Alliances

  • Imperialism

  • Nationalism

Militarism

• Militarism is shown throughout the causes of the First World War, as all major European nations showed elements of militarism, to some degree

• Germany was militaristic as it increased their army and navy which caused other countries to do the same

  • The Anglo-German naval race displays the militaristic ambitions of Germany which caused tension in Europe

  • Germany increased their army to 2.2 million soldiers by 1914

    • This was the largest army in Europe

• All of the major European powers had a military plan for war before 1914

  • Germany enacted their Schlieffen Plan on the 3rd of August 1914

    • This caused Britain to declare war

Alliances

• Some historians believe that the alliance system in Europe is the main cause of the First World War

• Europe was split into two alliance systems in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

  • The Triple Alliance

    • Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy

  • The Triple Entente

    • Britain, France and Russia

• When the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand happened in July 1914, the alliance system was triggered and war began

Imperialism

• All of the major European countries were imperialistic before 1914

• During the Moroccan Crises of 1905 and 1911, France wanted to control Morocco

  • This increased tensions in Europe as Germany tried to stop France from controlling Morocco, and failed

  • France's desire to have Morocco contribute towards the First World War as:

    • Germany was left humiliated and forced to back down. Which it did not plan to do again

    • Britain and France created the Entente Cordiale which helped to protect each other's colonies in Africa and increased Germany's fear of encirclement

• Germany had imperialistic aims which resulted in the First World War

  • The policy of Weltpolitik stated that Germany wanted a large overseas empire

  • This increased tension as Germany began to build up their navy to support a large empire

    • This resulted in the Anglo-German naval race

Nationalism

• Nationalism in Europe is an important reason for the start of the First World War

• Serbian nationalism can be considered as both a long-term and short-term cause of the First World War

  • Serbian nationalism had been present in the Balkans region for a long time before the creation of the Black Hand in 1911

  • Their desire to unite all Slavic people, and remove Austria-Hungary from this region created tension in Europe

• German nationalism caused great tension in Europe

  • Germany prioritised their own interests above those in Europe

    • They increased their army and navy which created tension and fear

    • This resulted in other countries to increase their own armies and to plan for war

Short-term causes of the First World War

• The short-term causes of the First World War can be seen as the 'spark' that started the flame

  • The long-term causes of the First World War prepared Europe for war, the short-term cause provided the 'spark' needed to force action

• The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Serbia's role provided that spark

  • Most historians believe that if this did not happen, then something else would have started the First World War

    • It is believed that countries like Germany wanted a war

• However, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on the 28th of July 1914, this triggered the alliance system and created a European War

• Germany's invasion of Belgium is believed by some historians as the reason why Germany, more so than other countries, is held responsible for the First World War

  • This invasion resulted in:

    • Britain becoming involved in the war

    • the war became a World War, rather than a European war, as Britain and its empire entered the war