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Reasons for the War

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  • September 11, 2007 at 2:53 pm #847 Reply
    Phidippides
    Keymaster

    I found a concise list of reasons which led to World War I.  You can see from the list there are five of them:

    • Mutual Defense Alliances
    • Imperialism
    • Militarism
    • Nationalism
    • Assassination

    It's a good, short list, no?  In the end it appears that #1 was the strongest.  Without such commitments the was may very well not have materialized, right?

    September 12, 2007 at 2:50 am #9707 Reply
    Wally
    Participant

    Survey sez: Family Feud>Check out the family tree of all the royal families of Europe… every one kin to Queen Victoria by blood, marriage, or both.The reality is 1-4; assassination was just the match… might have been some other spark but the first four were the fodder. Taught WWI for about 9 years. You are spot on!

    September 12, 2007 at 6:53 pm #9708 Reply
    Phidippides
    Keymaster

    Would there be any additional reasons you would add to the list?  Sounds like you'd know much more about it than I would.

    September 13, 2007 at 1:38 am #9709 Reply
    Wally
    Participant

    Nope you've pretty much nailed it. Much of what Wilson was trying to sell in the 14 Points was a knee-jerk reaction to the four main reasons.Secret (and not so secret) alliances, the arms race, trying to corner the market (and the supplies)… this is what the imperialism was about, not sending settlers out like in the 1600's, and just plain jingoism… my country can wipe your country.That's about it, though one can do a PM on each and get all the gory details.

    September 13, 2007 at 3:07 am #9710 Reply
    DonaldBaker
    Participant

    Mobilization was another.  Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.

    September 13, 2007 at 4:29 am #9711 Reply
    Wally
    Participant

    Mobilization was another.  Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.

    Indeed; once it commenced, but remember the time frame (assassination to actual fighting) was about a month +/- if I remember right.

    March 1, 2008 at 9:40 pm #9712 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    This thread needs more links.  😀  (paper due soon)

    March 4, 2008 at 8:29 pm #9713 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    If the board owner doesn't mind, I'd like to add some links for reference.http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/great_war/causes.htmhttp://hti.math.uh.edu/curriculum/units/2004/01/04/04.01.04.phphttp://www.worldwar1.com/tlss1914.htmDid you know that there were 5 assassins on Ferdinand's parade route?

    March 5, 2008 at 5:05 am #9714 Reply
    Phidippides
    Keymaster

    I did not know that.  So the assassination would likely have gone on one way or another?  Unless the first one alerted them too much?Here are some other cool WWI links:http://www.greatwar.nl/http://eamazings.com/index.php/eamazings/numerous-soldier-formations-during-world-war-i.htmlhttp://inauspicious.org/photos/films/047/02/

    March 5, 2008 at 10:33 am #9715 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    They just wanted to make sure it gone done I guess.  I read somewhere one of the would be assasins blew himself up when he threw a grenade.  http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/princip.htm

    March 10, 2008 at 12:35 am #9716 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    William II's dismissal of Bismarck played a huge factor because Bismarck was keeping the peace in Europe…or at least peace between the major powers.  But here's what I think is the #1 major reason:  The Balkan Crisis.  The Serbs were infuriated with the Austrians over how to divide the defeated Ottoman Empire.  The Triple Alliance and Triple Entente set the sides.  WWI was inevitable.Man, between the late 1890's and 1914 a LOT of stuff happened! (and I used to think history was boring)

    March 11, 2008 at 11:31 pm #9717 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    Mobilization was another.  Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.

    Actually it was because Russia's military plans only included mobilizing against Austria AND Germany at the same time. There was no alternate plan, and the Russian military leaders said it would cause chaos within their military if they only mobilized against Austria. And Germany's only war plans involved a two front war with Russia and France (who they thought would be an easy victory…although I think the underlying reason is because Germany, especially William II, was hungry for a war with France for over a decade).Wally, June 28 the assasination.  July 28 Austria declared war on Serbia. And within less than a week Germany, France, Great Britain, and Russia all declared war.

    March 12, 2008 at 12:20 am #9718 Reply
    DonaldBaker
    Participant

    There were no de-mobilization plans because everyone assumed once mobilization commenced, there was no turning back the inertia.

    March 12, 2008 at 12:39 am #9719 Reply
    Wally
    Participant

    …. Wally, June 28 the assasination.  July 28 Austria declared war on Serbia. And within less than a week Germany, France, Great Britain, and Russia all declared war.

    … the time frame (assassination to actual fighting) was about a month +/- if I remember right.

      ;D

    There were no de-mobilization plans because everyone assumed once mobilization commenced, there was no turning back the inertia.

    Agree… with you both.  🙂

    March 12, 2008 at 12:39 am #9720 Reply
    skiguy
    Moderator

    There were no de-mobilization plans because everyone assumed once mobilization commenced, there was no turning back the inertia.

    That, plus everyone thought it would be over by Christmas, 1914.

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