WWI: Complex Causes, Profound Impact - Essay Sample

Introduction

Notably, it is evident that World War I is considered a controversial and complex war in modern history. This is due to the fact the war encompassed both profound short-term and long-term causes. For instance, during the 19th century, which was the imperialism period, there was a rising antipathy taking place between European monarchies. Besides, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was also assassinated in Sarajevo. Notably, the causes mentioned above had a substantial influence on the eruption of World War 1. Also, they caused the certainty of a pronounced war taking place among many nations across Europe. However, despite these causes having a notable influence on the outbreak of WWI, these causes should not be considered to be the only agents provoking to the war eruption. This essay thoroughly examines the reasons behind the outburst of WW1 in July 1914 regardless of the different crisis and the causes before its actual outbreak did not instantaneously cause to the explosion.

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Numerous factors such as assassinations of great leaders such Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, the presence of alliance systems, imperialism, militarism, and nationalism were the evident causes facilitating to the outbreak of the World War 1 in 1914[1]. In furtherance, it is also possible to allude that this war could as well have begun earlier. A good example way to illustrate this can be based on two major crisis experienced by Balkan in 1913 and Morocco in 1905. However, it is indisputable that the war didn't start earlier due to the reason that many nations were not adequately individual on whether to begin an inevitable great war or not. For instance, many counties had an aggressive goal to reach a balance of power, especially among European countries.

However, in the end, [2] these countries failed on attaining the set goal because of the existing rivalry between European powers who had started colonizing African countries. Also, countries such as German and France lacked a reasonable reason or intention of starting a two front war with one another hence bringing the rationale that the war might have started earlier before its actual date especially if the assassination was experienced at the particular time.

Lack of solidified alliances as well as political leaders across Europe such as Bismarck had a significant concern of preserving the balances of power in their region as it had a multipolar system is another reason pointing that the war did not erupt earlier than the real date.

The increasing militarism before 1914 between European powers is understood as a major cause leading to the eruption of WW1 initiated by Germany. However, statesmen such as Bismarck and Wilhem, I had a lot of fears regard two front wars between Russia and France. For this reason, the two formed Schlieffen Plan with the main aim of preventing such a conflict.[3] Besides, the British Navy had a high military power, which made Germany start building a mighty army. Increasingly armament by the Germans led to the joint formation race with Russia and France.hence strengthening their army and navy, resulting in the tremendous improvement of military technology because of the industrialization period.

From this point of view, it is evident that the reason explaining why the WW1 did not start earlier because even in 1910, Germany military power wa increasing solid and they could have won the war but did not want to interfere with industrial conjuncture. In light of this, countries such as Rusia, Austria, France, and Britain also had the same had the priority for industrialization era. For this reason, the balance of power influenced these countries in building up and solidifying their military. Considerably, to some degree, this concept is ideal for explaining why the eruption of the war was not earlier than the actual date.

The assassination of Franz Ferdinand by Serbian president in Sarajevo on June 28 is another cause of the WWI. Notably, this assassination sparked a lot of issues across Europe [4]. Before 1913, many countries across Europe had begun building up their military due to the Balkan crisis. These countries had adequately established their military power, which suggests that they should not have to wait to build it up in 1914 following the assassination incident. An excellent example of these countries includes France and Germany. The war was inevitable due to issues brought by the economy because of the numerous resource brought by the war market.

Also, there was already a set ultimatum to Serbia by Austria, which never came to fulfill. Austria was forced to engage in war to maintain its prestige and honor in world politics in case it had a plan of resigning to make Serbia pay for the assassination. Besides, Russia would not cease out of this situation because it would step in helping Serbia in such a circumstance. These actions indicate that other countries such as France and Germany had close responsibilities of supporting their allies who include Russia and Hungary. Therefore, the alliance systems forced some countries involving in the war. Other factors such as colonial rivalry and nationalism compacted in this incident which shows that the war was inevitable. There was increasing tension before the eruption of the war. However, the assassination played a crucial role in influencing France and Germany to fight with one another, making it the same case for Russia and Austria.

Notably, one can make an argument that the concept of fascism provides a general framework of understanding the protracted nature. WW1 from the point of view shows that it is a turning point in human history because of having essential consequences [5]. For instance, it can be understood as brutalization because of leaving severe marks to political and life behavior of numerous people. It seems that brutalization encourages dehumanization by making violence look like any average or acceptable thing.[6] Many ex-servicemen lost their life as well as many consequences faced by many countries. Therefore, this war facilitated the triumph and rise of radical movements of fascism and brutalization.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is evident that militarism, nationalism, and alliance systems significantly played a significant role that facilitated the eruption of World War I in June 1914. This is since they acted as catalysts creating a warpath among many countries. However, it is logical to argue WWI did not take place earlier than June 1914 as its causes lack the final capacity that could have led to its outbreak. For instance, the final event that initiated the outburst of the war was the assassination of Franz Ferdinard which happened at almost the same time. These factors hold together in a way that makes the war look virtually inevitable.

Bibliography

Fussell, P., 2009. The Great War and modern memory. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc...

Goemans, Hein Erich. War and punishment: The causes of war termination and the First World War. Princeton University Press, 2000.

Hynes, Samuel. A war imagined: the First World War and English culture. Random House, 2011.Joll, James, and Gordon Martel. The origins of the first world war. Routledge, 2013.

Pomian, Krzysztof. "European identity: Historical fact and political problems." Le Debat 2 (2019): 147-160.

[1] Goemans, Hein Erich. War and punishment: The causes of war termination and the First World War. Princeton University Press, 2000.

[2] Goemans, Hein Erich. War and punishment: The causes of war termination and the First World War. Princeton University Press, 2000.

[3] Pomian, Krzysztof. "European identity: Historical fact and political problems." Le Debat 2 (2019): 147-160

[4] Hynes, Samuel. A war imagined: the First World War and English culture. Random House, 2011.

[5] Fussell, P., 2009. The Great War and modern memory. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

[6] Joll, James, and Gordon Martel. The origins of the first world war. Routledge, 2013.