First World War

[Col]

In laymans terms, what sequence of events lead to the start of the First World War?

[bernardo]

There were various minor wars in the Balkans (a bit like in the 1990s) because there were Serbs, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims living close to each other and being rivals for the same bits of territory. The whole area was divided up between the Ottoman Empire (Turks) and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, both of which were in the latter stages of decay. Serbia was already independent (since 1878, I think).

One main area of tension was that Bosnia (which had lots of Serb people living in it) was still being ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Serb nationalists in Bosnia and Serbia wanted to create a strong, united Greater Serbia which would unite Serbia with the occupied bits of Bosnia. These tensions led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (the capital of Bosnia) in June 1914. He was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and he was killed by a Bosnian Serb nationalist. (It would be a bit like Prince Charles visiting Northern Ireland and being killed by the IRA).

When the assassination happened, the government of Austria-Hungary blamed the government of Serbia, because the government of Serbia was sympathetic to the Serbian population living in Bosnia. Therefore Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

[bernardo]

The reason why it turned into a major war (across Europe) instead of just a minor war (in the Balkans) was because there was a complicated pattern of international alliances:

• Austria-Hungary was allied to Germany


• Serbia was allied to Russia


• Russia was allied to France (in opposition to the perceived threat from Germany)


• France was allied to the UK

These alliances grew up because Germany was industrialising rapidly, and building up its armed forces. Germany had a historic rivalry with France. Therefore, when the war started between Austria against Serbia, it quickly becamea big war between Austria and Germany against Serbia, Russia, France and the UK.

[Loosehead]

Well according to Baldrick from Black adder it was caused by: "A Bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich cos he was hungry"

[lastresort]

There was also the GB-Belgium treaty. The famous "Scrap of Paper" that Germany ignored and brought Great Britain into WWI to defend Belgium neutrality.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/scrapofpaper2.htm

Thank you Loosehead for your much more believable cause of WWI than any that I have read before.

[Clanad]

A genuine note of appreciation to bernardo for his articulate and thorough exposition of the causes for WWI... in such a short space, one of the best I've seen... Thanks!

[Chessman]

Thats a very comprehensive reply bernado, one thing was left out, and i'm sure you'll correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think so. After the assasination, Austro-Hungary, gave Serbia a list of demands, which they agreed to in its entirety, but Austro-Hungary, relying on the mighty German military machine, wouldn't accept them.

[vehelpfulguy]

In think it is also worth pointing out that the power battle in Europe between the various "empires" has a lot to do with it.

There was the British empire, the Austro-Hungarian empire, the Ottoman (Turkish) empire and the Russian empire. There was also the powerful French and German countries.

Each of these empires/countries were flexing their muscles to try to stay "top dog" in Europe, and nobody wanted to give an inch.

Even though there were specific things that set the war off, I think a lot of these countries were spoiling for a fight anyway.

It is a bit like a couple of gangs on a Saturday night. They are looking for a fight anyway, and when one of them does some minor thing (says something out of line for example) they have a fight.

Afterwards the little thing that happened is almost forgotton, all anyone remembers is the fight.

Such a shame that millions had to die in the process.

[vehelpfulguy]

For a good introduction to the first world war try to see the film "Oh what a lovely war" (1969).

An surprisingly enjoyable film, made by Richard Attenborough, which with a combination of humour, songs, and satire brings out the horrors of the first world war.

Belief it or not it is set on Brighton pier. but you have to see it to understand why. For more see here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064754/

[Octavius]

I like Loosehead's answer the best. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_war_1

for a difinitive guide including a link to causes.