Causes and Consequences of the Great War: An Analysis of Military, Political, and Imperial Factors
Overview
This paper examines the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and its major consequences, including over 20 million military deaths. The essay analyzes four primary factors that led to the war: mutual defense alliances, imperialism, militarism, and nationalism, demonstrating how their intersection created conditions for global conflict.
What this essay covers
- Causes of the Great War - introduces research questions and sets historical context
- Mutual Defense Alliances - explains how treaty obligations escalated conflict from Serbia to major powers
- Imperialism - analyzes competition for territories and resources in Asia and Africa
- Militarism - discusses the arms race and military buildup prior to 1914
- Nationalism - explores Slavic nationalist movements in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preview
EXPLAIN WHAT LED TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE SO-CALLED “GREAT WAR” AND WHAT ITS MAIN CONSEQUENCES WERE
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The Great War
Causes of the Great War
The Great War was started within the summer of 1914 immediately after Archduke Franz Ferdinand had been assassinated. The Great War went on for more than four years and ended in 1918. More than 20 million army men were killed, and about 21 million were wounded. The losses can be attributed to the number of nations that participated in and trench warfare. As much as the killing of Archduke Ferdinand was the leading cause of the Great War, other factors played a part in the war. Research questions to be asked are: What factors led to the outbreak of the Great War? What were the consequences of the Great War?
Mutual Defense Alliances
Nations all over the world came up with mutual agreements of defense with those that bordered them and signed treaties that would bring about battles. The treaties meant that if a particular nation is attacked, the allied nations rose up in defense of the nation that was attacked. Some alliances were in existence, as seen below.
Japan and Britain
France and Russia
Russia and Serbia
Germany and Austria-Hungary
Britain and France and Belgium
A good case of defense was witnessed when Austria-Hungary declared war upon Serbia and Russia rose in defense of Serbia. Germany saw what was happening as Russia was getting ready and decided to attack Russia.[1] At the same time, France was drawn in against Austria-Hungary and Germany.