2007-06-01 19:28:47 · 11 answers · asked by Mizan 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo
We'll start with the facts and work back: it may make it all the easier to understand how World War One actually happened. The events of July and early August 1914 are a classic case of "one thing led to another" - otherwise known as the treaty alliance system.
World War One had been long in the stockpiling; the spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.
Ferdinand's death at the hands of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist secret society, set in train a mindlessly mechanical series of events that culminated in the world's first global war.
Austria-Hungary's Reaction
Austria-Hungary's reaction to the death of their heir (who was in any case not greatly beloved by the Emperor, Franz Josef, or his government) was three weeks in coming. Arguing that the Serbian government was implicated in the machinations of the Black Hand (whether she was or not remains unclear, but it appears unlikely), the Austro-Hungarians opted to take the opportunity to stamp its authority upon the Serbians, crushing the nationalist movement there and cementing Austria-Hungary's influence in the Balkans.
It did so by issuing an ultimatum to Serbia which, in the extent of its demand that the assassins be brought to justice effectively nullified Serbia's sovereignty. Sir Edward Grey, the British Foreign Secretary, was moved to comment that he had "never before seen one State address to another independent State a document of so formidable a character."
Austria-Hungary's expectation was that Serbia would reject the remarkably severe terms of the ultimatum, thereby giving her a pretext for launching a limited war against Serbia.
However, Serbia had long had Slavic ties with Russia, an altogether different proposition for Austria-Hungary. Whilst not really expecting that Russia would be drawn into the dispute to any great extent other than through words of diplomatic protest, the Austro-Hungarian government sought assurances from her ally, Germany, that she would come to her aid should the unthinkable happen and Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary.
Many nations already had allies:
The allied nations, bound by treaties to aid and support each other, hastily mobilized for what is now known as World War I.
2007-06-01 19:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by . 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Germany and Britain did not think the seas were big enough for both of them. For centuries Britannia ruled the waves. Then Germany started building a navy rivaling Britain's and they both began to annoy each other.
They were both planning war against the other. Britain signed a non agression treaty with France agreeing to come to the other's aid in case of war. France signed one with Russia. Germany signed one with Austria.
When the Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, Austria decided to punish its
Serbian subjects. Russia then came to the aid of its Slavic cousins. That should have left it as a war between Russia and Austria.
Since Russia was at war, France was at war and since France was at war, Britain was at war. Since Austria was at war, Germany was at war.
Without the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand it would still have happened unless Britain and Germany could have been more conciliatory toward each other.
2007-06-02 02:49:52 · answer #2 · answered by Shirley T 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
"WWI" was Germany's 1st big, globally more-than-pushy attempt to rule the world for the benefit of pasty white guys only...
I'm a pasty white guy, and I don't want to rule the world, and they didn't ask my permission, so my ancestors kicked their booty with the sacrifice of millions of innocent and not-so-innocent lives...
Then, in WWII, they tried it again, and again with the sacrifice of millions of their victims, and the sacrifice of millions of anti-fascist freedom-fighters, we again kicked their booty...
Now, Germany's a pretty cool tourist country, with lovely sights, and friendly food-scarfing, beer-swilling people...(I also, am a friendly food scarfer and beer swiller...so maybe we can be friends)
But the Pope is German, and Arnold Schwartznegger is Governor of California...
Coincidence?!?
I think not...
People just never learn...
And so history keeps repeating itself...
Bartender...!
Another round for my early 20th Century historian in training...!
2007-06-02 02:49:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Various reasons. For further details, go to Wikpedia, and visit your local library to read all you can on this subject.
2007-06-02 11:14:17 · answer #4 · answered by peskylisa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Selfishnes. My country is the mightiest. (Note; To defend aggressive ness is NOT WAR)
2007-06-02 03:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by Muthu S 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It was all about differences of opinion between nations, as it is happening now!
2007-06-02 02:31:25 · answer #6 · answered by Sami V 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ww1 and ww2 was the bigest mistake made by western countries,fighting against each other in this i would name it civil war(cause they were all part of the same culture),instead of fighting real dangerous for Europe:Russian and serbian orthodoxies.
2007-06-02 17:05:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Me too......use wikipedia!
2007-06-02 02:36:47 · answer #8 · answered by Bloblobloblob 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Do you not know how to use google?
For christ sake, just search it on there..
2007-06-02 02:31:44 · answer #9 · answered by Lexi 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsZQmDOriTyaEAmtiDVAwXbty6IX?qid=20070526121117AAHunTm&show=7#profile-info-f660d9b8d7fb8119b1cb801b681e43e8aa
2007-06-02 02:33:55 · answer #10 · answered by ღ♥Goca♥ღ 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋