October 3, 2024

HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 286: Model Answer

Question: Discuss the causes of the First world War. (8 marks/ 120 words)

Answer.

First World War (World War I) is considered as one of the largest wars in history. The world’s great powers assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies (British Empire, France and the Russian Empire) versus the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). WWI lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.

Causes of the First World War

In the background there were many conflicts between European nations. Nations grouped among themselves to form military alliances as there were tension and suspicion among them. The causes of the First World War were as follows:

Conflict between Imperialist countries: Ambition of Germany

  • Conflict between old imperialist countries (Eg: Britain and France) vs new imperialist countries (Eg: Germany).
  • Germany ship – Imperator.
  • German railway line – from Berlin to Baghdad.

Ultra Nationalism

  • Pan Slav movement – Russian, Polish, Czhech, Serb, Bulgaria and Greek.
  • Pan German movement.

 Military Alliance

  • Triple Alliance or Central Powers (1882)– Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary.
  • Triple Entente or Allies (1907)– Britain, France, Russia.

International Anarchy

  • Secret agreement between Britain and France allowing Britain to control Egypt and France to take over Morocco. Germany opposed, but settled with a part of French Congo.
  • Hague conference of 1882 and 1907 failed to emerge as an international organisation.

 Balkan Wars

  • Many Balkan nations (Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece and Montenegro) were under the control of Turkey. They defeated Turkey in the First Balkan War. The subsequent war was between the Balkan countries themselves – Eg:  Serbia vs Bulgaria.
  • Defeated countries like Turkey and Bulgaria sought German help.

Alsace-Loraine

  • During German unification, Germany got Alsace-Loraine from France. France wanted to capture Alsace-Loraine back from Germany.

Immediate Cause: assassination of Francis Ferdinand

  • Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian native (in Bosnia). Austria declared war on Serbia on 28th July, 1914. [Reason for assassination: Annexation by Austria the Bosnia-Herzegovina, against the congress of Berlin, 1878]

 

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