[Lprince]

Why did war break out in 1914?


There were several factors which led up to war. These were Nationalism, Militarism, Imperialism, various countries' alliance systems and certain individuals who influenced Various countrys to go to war. Militarism happened when Germany started to build up its navy to rival that of the best navy in the world at the time, the one belonging to Britain. Britain had a large navy because it is an isolated army meaning the army is less important, germanys increasing naval size angered the brits. Another area germany tried to rival Britain in was it's empire. Britains mass Imperialism meant it was rich and powerful, Germany wanted to rival this. Another example of imperialism at the time was Austria Hungary taking over Bosnia which was once part of the Serbian empire. Serbs who lived in Bosnia were nationalistic and didn't like being ruled by Austria Hungary so many Bosnian Serbs joined Serbias secret government funded agency for taking back Bosnia.

One such Serb was Gabiel Princip who together with help from other members of the organization murdered Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria Hungary. When this happened Austria Hungary was outraged and sent it's army to Serbia, declaring war. Russia herd about this and sent it's army to try and defend Serbia. Germanys alliance with Austria Hungary meant it declared war on Russia. Germany thought that France would take the side of Russia so went ahead with the Schlieffen plan.

The Schlieffen plan was named after the german general who thought of it. The plan was for if Germany went to war with France and Russia at the same time. To save fighting on two fronts, which could have a devastating effect on their army, the germans decided to quickly attack and defeat France, believing that Russia would take a long time to mobalize it's troops. This meant that once the german army had defeated France it could quickly move to the other side of Germany and defend against the Russian army.

Germany went ahead with the Schlieffen plan and attacked France, going through Belgium so as not to run into the french defences at the border. What Germany didn't expect was for Belgium, which was a neutral counrty, to fight back. When the Belgians did this it slowed down German troops significantly. Also germany didn't expect Britain to get involved. Britain had made an agreement with Belgium many years earlyer to protect it if under fire. The germany Kaiser didn't think that Britain would go to war over 'a scrap of paper' but Britain was true to it's word and Declared war on Germany rushing to the aid of Belgium. Another contributing factor to this agreement may have been the rivalry between the German Kaiser and his cousins in the british royal family and Britain and Germanys naval race. The british going to war with germany again slowed german troops and the russians had mobilized much quicker than the germans expected, meaning that Germany was at war on two fronts and that the Schlieffen plan failed miserably.

Personally, after looking at all the evidence, I believe that war was inevitable, with most countries choosing to increase army and navy size building up to it. All the factors were right for war, it just needed something to trigger then, like the assaination of Franz Ferdinand. I also think that although the serbians could be blamed for triggering war, they had the right to fight for Bosnia back off Austria Hungary as most Bosnians belived they should be part of Serbia. The Germans could also be blamed for bringing the French into it, though Russia played its' part aswell by getting involved. Britain was being true to it's world though could have segued a more diplomatic solution to matters.