The Origins of World War I, 1900-1914

Key Tensions and Powers

The Alliance System: European powers formed complex alliances which created an atmosphere of suspicion and fear. The Triple Entente (Russia, France, and Britain) counterbalanced the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy).
Imperial Rivalries: Nations sought greater political and economic influence, leading to clashes like the Moroccan Crises between France, Germany, and Britain.
Arms Race: Naval competition between Britain and Germany increased tension. Both nations dramatically expanded their armies and navies, leading to an arms race.

The Balkan Wars: The wars in the volatile Balkan region destabilised Europe further. The annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary angered Serbia and Russia, accelerating the escalation to war.
Assassination in Sarajevo: The event that directly led to the start of the war was the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip.

Failure of Diplomacy: Attempts at peaceful resolution, such as the Hague Conferences, failed to adequately address the escalating tensions.
Blank Cheque: The “blank cheque” provided by Germany to Austria-Hungary to take any action against Serbia increased the momentum towards war.
The Ultimatum: Austria-Hungary’s harsh ultimatum to Serbia, rejected by Serbia, led to war declarations.

Multiple Causes: World War I didn’t have a single cause but was the result of a combination of factors including nationalistic tensions, economic rivalries, and political alliances.
Historical Debate: Historians have argued about the relative importance of these causes, with some emphasising the role of Germany (Fischer Thesis) and others pointing to broader systemic factors (Sleepwalking Thesis).

On 28th July, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilised to support Serbia, and the complex web of alliances activated, leading to the outbreak of World War I.