Causes of the First World War

The first countries involved in the First World War were Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The event that led to the beginning of the conflict was the assassination of the archduke of Austrian Franz Ferdinand. After that, the government of Austria-Hungary for a long time negotiated on what response to take against Serbia. In addition, the Austrian side was concerned about the expansion of Serbian territory in the period 1912-1913. As a result of the Balkan wars, as well as the threat that came from the southern Slavs. Another thing did not bother them: will Russia act on the side of Serbia. To prevent this, it was necessary to enlist the support of Germany. For the latter, Austria-Hungary was the only possible ally, so it was in no case to be left in a difficult situation.

In 1913, Russia was unable to support Serbia, which needed its help to preserve the situation on the Adriatic, and in 1914, without substituting the expected shoulder, Russia risked weakening its influence in the Balkans.

The causes and nature of the First World War lay in a tense international situation. Germany understood that war could not be avoided. Only the time was unknown. After all, it is necessary to find the right moment, while in Russia there has not been rearmament, in France - a military reorganization, and also a profitable maritime treaty between Britain and Russia has not been signed. Therefore, the German side could regard the outbreak of hostilities as the only way to achieve world domination.

The cause of the First World War was also in the arms race, which involved all major powers. No state was frightened by the military might of others, so this fact can not be regarded as a deterrent. Countries sought to expand their own production of weapons and did not particularly tremble before the military program of the opponents. It would seem that Britain had to retreat before the might of the German fleet, but she wanted to strengthen her influence and gain naval superiority at any cost.

Therefore, by 1914, the causes of the First World War were very serious, they set the world community to the realization that military action could not be avoided. France as a result of the war of 1870 remained dissatisfied with the loss of the territories of Alsace and Lorraine, Germany, on the contrary, was satisfied with its position, feeling military superiority over other European states. In addition, the end of the XIX century was marked by an understanding of the need for national independence in a number of countries, which jeopardized the continued existence of the Ottoman and Habsburg empires and, as a result, led to instability in the international system.

The causes of the First World War, in the opinion of the followers of the Marxist theory, were the antagonistic sentiments between the Prussian Junker and the Russian landlord. To them was added a rather long list of other prerequisites: the struggle for iron and coal, ways of communication, spheres of influence, colonies, national contradictions. Equally important was the role of the individual in history. For example, French President Henri Poincare spent his childhood in the territory of Lorraine, which was occupied by the Germans. This fact also could not but reflect on future historical events.

The causes of the First World War are also hidden in the following points. During the reign of Nicholas II Russia underwent difficulties in moving cargo across the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, which resulted in considerable economic damage. She was in great need of a free exit and entrance from the Black Sea, as the main grain exports passed through Constantinople. By 1904, a union called Antanta was created between Russia and France. A few years later, Russia signed an agreement with Britain on the delimitation of spheres of influence in countries such as Afghanistan, Persia and Tibet. Despite reaching agreement, the Entente in the period of 1907 could not be considered a military bloc, which could not be said about the Triple Alliance. This status of the Entente was acquired only in 1914, when the tripartite agreement between Russia, Britain and France was signed to renounce the obligation to conclude a separate peace with the adversaries.

These were the main reasons for the First World War, which began on July 28, 1914.