Who started World War I?

Question

I am doing a history research essay. The prompt is Who started World War I?....was it that 19 year old guy who killed the archduke?

Answer 1

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand could be considered the triggering event that resulted in World War I. The tensions in Europe at that time were what turned a political assassination and minor regional conflict into a war that soon involved most of the European countries.

Militarism, nationalism, imperialism were the symptoms. A complex network of alliances and treaties were the mechanism that brought everyone into the war.

Reader's Digest condensed version:
- Assassination of the Archduke by a Serbian nationalist (acting outside the Serbian government) was met by Austrian demands (encouraged by Germany) for justice, and an ultimatum that any self-respecting nation would refuse to submit to. The conditions of the ultimatum were trumped up by Austria-Hungary to give it an excuse for exerting more power and influence over their neighbor in the Balkans.
- Russia, having a ethnic/linguistic tie to Serbia, decided to come to Serbia's defense and mobilized forces.
- Germany, tied to A-H by the Triple Alliance (Germany, A-H and Italy) saw this as an act of war and declared war on Russia.
- Shortly after that, they declared war on France (as France, Russia and Britain were allied in the Triple Entente). Germany thought they could take France out quickly and then concentrate on Russia once the Russians were fully mobilized. One of Germany's big mistakes was assuming Britain would stay out of it.
- When Germany invaded France through neutral Belgium, Britain invoked a 70-some year old treaty that called for them to defend Belgium if that country was attacked. Plus, Britain was compelled (though not specifically required) to help France and Russia based on the Triple Entente.
- Italy managed to duck involvement for a year by saying that Austria-Hungary and Germany launched an offensive war rather than reacted with a defensive war. In this scenario, Italy was not obliged to come to the aid of the other two members of the Triple Alliance. When Italy did enter the war, they entered on the side of the Allies against the Central Powers (Germany and A-H)

So, you could say Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary to pick a fight with Serbia after what can be considered an act of terrorism that the Serbian government was not responsible for; things spiralled out of control quickly; and, when it was all over, Germany was forced to take the blame. This set the stage for WWII, 20 years later.

Answer 2

His name was Gavrillo Princip (a Serb) and he shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. HOwever one man does not start a war by himself. The chain of events after this is what complicates the issue. Austria demanded ridiculous reparations from Serbia and when Serbia tried to negotiate, Austria declared war on them. In order to protect their Slavic neighbors, Russia then declared war on Austria. So in order to back up the Austrians the Germans jumped in, which brought in the French and the Brits. During WWII the Germans are clearly to blame. But during WWI, the case is not so clear cut.

Answer 3

"the germans"

That's a typically ignorant response. The war was started by Serbia in a very strict interpretations, but Austro-Hungary made demands upon them after Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Serajevo that they knew would not be fulfilled and then used the failure of Serbia to deliver to declare war. Germany was allied with Austro-Hungary and had no choice but to enter the war on their side.

The war wasn't anyones fault. It was the result of political alliances that was destined to result in a war, and pre-war Europe is often described as a "powder-keg" waiting to explode. If you really want to put it on someone, I'd have to say it was the Austro-hungarians.

Answer 4

the assassination started it, but it turned into a world war due to all of the alliances between nations in europe.

Answer 5

He was one of the causes, but trouble was brewing long before that. Do some real research!!!

Answer 6

thats him the austrians and ottoman turks were involved

Answer 7

the germans

Answer 8

yes, it's him