Was the First World War Inevitable?

Question

And Why or why not?

Answer 1

I say YES. Most of the European powers had signed Entangling Alliances so that when one country was attacked a domino effect occurred bringing all of Europe into the war.

A localized war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia was considered inevitable due to Austria-Hungary’s deteriorating world position and the Pan-Slavic separatist movement in the Balkans. The expansion of such ethnic sentiments coincided with the growth of Serbia, where anti-Austrian sentiment was perhaps at its most fervent; Austria-Hungary had occupied the ethnically Serb province of Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1878 and formally annexed it in 1908. The nationalistic sentiments also coincided with the decline of the Ottoman Empire, which formerly held sway over much of the region. Imperial Russia supported the Pan-Slavic movement, motivated by ethnic and religious loyalties, dissatisfaction with Austria (dating back to the Crimean War, but most recently concerning a failed Russian-Austrian treaty) and a century-old dream of a warm water port.[5]

As for Germany, its location in the center of Europe led to the decision for an active defense, culminating in the Schlieffen Plan. At the same time, the transfer of the contested Alsace and Lorraine territories and defeat in the Franco-Prussian War influenced France’s policy, characterized by revanchism. The French formed an alliance with Russia and a two-front war became a distinct possibility for Germany.

Answer 2

Yes... war is always inevitable because people just do not know how to get along... I people would just stop being hateful, then it would be a better world...

Answer 3

I believe it was. Nationalism was gaining a lot of strength in Eastern Europe, and especially the Balkans. Empires created hundreds of years before could not and would not accept radical changes, especially ones that eroded their power base. Essentially, it was monarchy vs. democracy. Democracy, in a way, won.

Answer 4

Of course. It happened didn't it?