Analyse the Causes of WW1
Analyse the Causes of WW1
There were a number of causes that played a key role for WW1; however the most significant was The Alliance System due to the fact that it had the most direct impact on the war. In this essay I will explain how this specific historical event was the main cause of WW1. On top of that I will talk about how the other causes effected the decisions made and their impact at the time.
The Alliance System was the most significant cause of WW1 due to the fact that all the great powers in Europe had signed agreements to support each other, creating two hostile camps it meant that from when the trigger sparked each nation was dragged in and warfare escalated creating WW1.
The Alliance System was when Europe was split into two sides, the Triple Entente, consisting of Great Britain, Russia and France and the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy. The origins of the Alliance system was created to prevent the chances of war, however it did the opposite and provoked tension between the two Allies. (3) In 1882 the Triple Alliance signed a full offensive-defensive alliance. This meant that if any of the countries in the Allie went into a war the other would back them up. Twelve years later in 1894, France and Russia signed an alliance, this meant if either of the countries where attacked the other would help them out. (3) One of the main reasons this happened was because Russia where afraid of what Germany where capable of. In 1904 Britain abandoned Splendid Isolation and signed an agreement with France, three years later they signed with Russia, forming the Entente Cordial. However, unlike the Triple Alliance this was not a military alliance, but an agreement to be on friendly terms and to settle their disputes. (3)
Due to the Alliance System nations found themselves being dragged into war. Even though these causes assembled the war, they did not start it. The trigger of WW1 was the assassination of the Archduke of Austria,
There were a number of causes that played a key role for WW1; however the most significant was The Alliance System due to the fact that it had the most direct impact on the war. In this essay I will explain how this specific historical event was the main cause of WW1. On top of that I will talk about how the other causes effected the decisions made and their impact at the time.
The Alliance System was the most significant cause of WW1 due to the fact that all the great powers in Europe had signed agreements to support each other, creating two hostile camps it meant that from when the trigger sparked each nation was dragged in and warfare escalated creating WW1.
The Alliance System was when Europe was split into two sides, the Triple Entente, consisting of Great Britain, Russia and France and the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy. The origins of the Alliance system was created to prevent the chances of war, however it did the opposite and provoked tension between the two Allies. (3) In 1882 the Triple Alliance signed a full offensive-defensive alliance. This meant that if any of the countries in the Allie went into a war the other would back them up. Twelve years later in 1894, France and Russia signed an alliance, this meant if either of the countries where attacked the other would help them out. (3) One of the main reasons this happened was because Russia where afraid of what Germany where capable of. In 1904 Britain abandoned Splendid Isolation and signed an agreement with France, three years later they signed with Russia, forming the Entente Cordial. However, unlike the Triple Alliance this was not a military alliance, but an agreement to be on friendly terms and to settle their disputes. (3)
Due to the Alliance System nations found themselves being dragged into war. Even though these causes assembled the war, they did not start it. The trigger of WW1 was the assassination of the Archduke of Austria,