The First World War

Essay # 98250

European Studies > Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires 1500-1914
History > European - World Wars
International Relations

The First World War

This paper analyzes who was responsible for the outbreak of WWI.

2,155 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2007 France

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, when considering all of the dominant factors that were instrumental to the start of World War One, it is clear that no one element or country was absolutely to blame for this war. The author points out that social ideologies, imperialism, nationalism, colonialism, the arms race and political changes throughout Europe played a part in causing this tragedy. The paper concludes that man's greed, the need to be seen as more important, powerful or superior and the desire to see one's country as the most advanced, prosperous and evolved were all implicating factors. The paper includes a chart of the naval strengths of the powers of 1914.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The War to End All Wars
Social Darwinism
The Structure of Europe
Imperialism, Nationalism, and Colonial Expansion
The Arms Race
Over By Christmas
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The Austro-Hungarian government, with full support from Germany, waited for three weeks before issuing the July ultimatum to Serbia, which insisted that Serbia should take full responsibility, and which basically asked to be included in the investigation concerning the assassination. Serbia refused to hand over the three men that were implicated in the assassination, and appealed to Russia for help. Russian mobilization began, and on the 28th July 1914, Austro-Hunagria declared war on Serbia. Due to their promised support to Austro-Hungaria, on July 31, Germany issued Russia with an ..."

Sample of Sources Used:

Barnes, Harry Elmer, The Genesis Of The World War; An Introduction To The Problem Of War Guilt, New York, Knopf, 1929, OCLC 3300340
Camille Bloch, The Causes of the World War: An Historical Summary. Contributors: Jane Soames - transltr. Publisher: G. Allen & Unwin. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1935. Page Number: 17.
Christopher Ray. Britain and the Origins of the First World War: Christopher Ray Queries the Accepted Picture of a Reluctant Victim of Forces beyond Her Control. Journal Title: History Review. Publication Year: 1998. Page Number: 45+. COPYRIGHT 1998 History Today Ltd.; COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
Ferguson, Niall, The Pity of War, Basic Books, 1999. ISBN 0-465-05712-8.
Sally Marks, The Ebbing of European Ascendancy: An International History of the World 1914-1945 (2002) p. 30.