September 7, 2016 Due September 14, but helpful if you read by Friday (and take notes!)
History is all about historical interpretation. Since we’ve been discussing WW1 and who caused it,this blog post will ask you to make a determination of YOUR opinion. Read the following articles, CITE THEM, and answer the ongoing historical debate – “What country caused WW1?”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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hussibhoa 
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ihateannefrank
said
World War II was a tragedy that killed a significant amount of people; 17 million as estimated. There are many different arguments and speculations as to who-as in what country-was the cause of WWI. Many people just assume and point blame at Serbia for Assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary,”The simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary. His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist with ties to the secretive military group known as the Black Hand – propelled the major European military powers towards war,”( http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start) or the use of alliances that turned a war Austria-Hungary could have so easily won into something much larger. However, I personally think that Germany had the biggest hand in the start of WWI. They hoped to achieve a edge in political power even if it put them on the brink of War, “According to Sheffield, the First World War began for two fundamental reasons: First, decision-makers in Berlin and Vienna chose to pursue a course that they hoped would bring about significant political advantages even if it brought about general war.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start) Though Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary, helping their allies were not their true intentions. The declaring war on Serbia to help out Austria-Hungary gave them an excuse to take the area of somewhere they already wanted, without Russia declaring war on them for messing with one of their allies, giving Germany the ability to be able to ( besides taking one of the Russian allies) take Russia by surprise with the Schleiffen plan, “Following the Archdukes assassination, Berlin deliberately used the crisis in relations between its satellite Austria-Hungary and Russia’s satellite Serbia as an excuse for a general war that would establish German hegemony from Belgium to Baghdad.” ( http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778)
I feel that this was the major reason that they should be attributed to being the country that ultimately caused WWI. Germany hope that by quickly and surprisingly dismantling the French and Russian Army in what was hoped to be a swift victory for them( as in detailed by the Schleiffen plan), that due to the crippling of Russia and France and the reputation and “bounties of war,” that it would propel them into being a World superpower, “The major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.”(http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778)
– [ ] Germany was driven by a power hungry Kaiser Willhelm II looking for nothing more than to gain more political power and to expand their territory. From the very beginning this was their exterior motive of all of their actions, from helping Austria-Hungary, to acting out the Schleiffen plan. All of this is why ultimately, I feel Germany is primarily responsible for the start of WWI.
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yeison0
said
The country that I believe started WW1 was Germany. Germany obviously was not the only country that caused WW1 but they were the main aggressors. “Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). Germany had wanted to expand so badly that they were willing to go any length. “Sir Max Hastings says that while no one nation deserves the blame alone, Germany is more guilty than most, as “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Germany really could have prevented this war but their wish to expand and faith in their military led them to not back down.
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ogalecday
said
The country that caused World War I was Germany. Even before Germany sent the “Blank Cheque” that would support Austria Hungary in their attack of Serbia, Germany created tensions between Britian with their arms race. “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.” http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
Other European nations were at fault but Germany was by far the most guilty. “Germany’s enemies had expansive war aims, too, and that Britain and France carved up the Ottoman empire following the war.”http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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erynn1999
said
From the two articles that I read, I feel as if Gernang is to blame for what happened in the war. Yes, there were many other causes that led to the war, but Germany was more concerned about expanding, that they were willing to go through anything to get what they wanted! ( http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start)
The assassination of Franz is also a major key in why the war happened in the first place. Austria- Hungary decided to arrack. A group named the ” Black Cheque ” were the ones who should be held accountable for the way the war started. They sent other groups to do their dirty work, and when the archduke was murdered it cause an uproar between the countries which led to WW1 and also a reason why the war was so big and why it killed so many people. ( http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778)
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bethanyashlyn
said
I believe that Germany was the main country that caused World War I. Germany wanted to be expansive and be supreme over other nations. “The major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination
to become a ‘world power’ or superpower by crippling Russia and
France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). Because of Germany’s fight for power, they began an arms race with Britain in an effort to establish military control. Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted a navy that surpassed Britain’s. “Towards the end of the 19th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany embarked on a
massive project to build a fleet that would rival Great Britain’s” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). However, Germany was not successful in their effort to have the greatest Navy and sacrificed any peace they had with Great Britain. “Ultimately, Germany was unable to keep pace with the spending power of its rival and
shifted attention away from its navy back to the development of its army. However, ‘the
damage to Germany’s relationship with Britain proved irreversible'” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Another reason I feel that Germany was the main country to start the war is that their “blank cheque,” a promise to support Austria-Hungary in any decision, could have been withdrawn and may have prevented tensions between different nations. “Germany is more guilty than most, as ‘it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at
any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its “blank cheque” which offered support to Austria
for its invasion of Serbia'” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Aside from all of these major events, Germany also declared war on France and invaded Belgium, leaving Britain no option but to declare war on Germany. All of these events lead me to believe that Germany was the main country to spark the beginning of World War I.
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carriganwithers
said
“fatal mixture of political misjudgement, fear of loss of prestige and stubborn commitments on all sides of a very complicated system of military and political alliances of European states” led to the descent into all-out war.
This statement is very true. There was no one cause of world war one. Every country that was involved played some role. Yes the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand and Germanys aggression were the main causes but there were also underlying causes such as militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and alliances. All of these things together led to the first world war.
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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bethanyashlyn
said
I believe that Germany is the main country that started World War I. “The major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a ‘world power’ or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). Germany wanted to expand and be a powerful nation and at first, tried to do so by establishing a navy to surpass the British navy. “Towards the end of the 19th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany embarked on a massive project to build a fleet that would rival Great Britain’s” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). While trying to build this supreme navy, Germany could not afford to build a navy greater than Britain’s. “Ultimately, Germany was unable to keep pace with the spending power of its rival and shifted attention away from its navy back to the development of its army. However, ‘the damage to Germany’s relationship with Britain proved irreversible'” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). In addition to fighting for a bigger navy, Germany could have withdrawn the “blank cheque,” an agreement stating that they would support Austria-Hungary on any decision they make regarding their actions towards Serbia. By keeping the blank cheque, Germany cause tensions to rise between nations. “Germany is more guilty than most, as ‘it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its “blank cheque” which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia'” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Aside from these major events, Germany also declared war on France and invaded Belgium, forcing Britain to declare war on Germany (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Because of these actions, I believe that Germany is the main country to spark the beginning of World War I.
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taylorwilson293
said
If I was to answer the question, ‘What country caused WWI?’, I would not say Germany 100%. I would also place blame on Serbia and Austria-Hungary. I disagree with the statement that The Week News makes when they stated, “Germany is more guilty than most, as ‘it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia’” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). This statement in my opinion is inaccurate, because Germany should have not withdrawn its blank cheque for the simple fact of they were alliances. The blank cheque in short was Germany telling Austria-Hungary, “I will back you up… because of our Alliance.” Would we not want our closest alliance to back us up in time of war? Germany and Austria-Hungary were strong alliances, and Germany was not going to break their agreement that they had made to each other that they would back each other up in their decisions. However, if the blank cheque was not distributed, then there might have not been a war. But, some historians would argue that the war would have happened anyways because of the assassination. Therefore, I will say that I think that Germany is not at fault for the blank cheque, because they were simply just being faithful to their agreement. Though I would not blame Germany to be the main power that caused the war, I would say that this quote does explain what part of the blame could be placed on Germany. Michael Lind from the National Interest stated, “But unlike the chattering classes, most historians, ever since Fritz Fischer published Germany’s Aims in the First World War (1961), have tended to agree that the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a ‘world power’ or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). This quote shows that Germany was hungry for land, which could have been another intent for their blank cheque; however, no one can absolutely say that this is true, and they could have just been being a loyal alliance. I would say that Serbia had more blame than Germany. Serbia acted harshly on assassinating Franz Ferdinand, which was unnecessary and which was the immediate cause of World War One. If Serbia had never assassinated the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, then Austria-Hungary would most likely have never declared war on Serbia. The obviousness in this is shown when the The Week article states, “June 28, 1914 – Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). This shows that the Serbians made the first move in triggering the war. Though, the annexation of Bosnia and the Balkan Wars created tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, the assassination went too far in their small rivalry. Obviously, Austria-Hungary could have been blamed to a small degree since they declared war on Serbia first. However, this could have not made them as responsible for war as Germany and Serbia.
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devonthegoat
said
I believe that there were two main causes of WW1, Germany, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. There were also many smaller causes that lead up the the assassination, but once he was killed, it set off a huge war.
“the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
I agree with this statement to some degree, because Germany wanted to become the greatest power. So they signed the blank cheque with Austria-Hungary. They said they would support any decision Austria made to hurt Serbia.
“The simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary.”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
Also, the main spark of the Great War was the assassination of Ferdinand. When Gavrilo Princip killed the Archduke in his visit to Bosnia.
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carlisfair
said
Although all countries involved had a particular part in sparking WW1, Germany has the most responsibility in the start of the war. Sheffield adds: “At best, Germany and Austria-Hungary launched a reckless gamble that went badly wrong. At worst, 1914 saw a premeditated war of aggression and conquest, a conflict that proved to be far removed from the swift and decisive venture that some had envisaged”. (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start.) I agree with the quote shown due to the aggression of Germany and Austria. Germany already in the past wanted to expand their nation and Germany became a militaristic nation. this only poked sticks at neighboring countries due to the increased amount of military production.Germany made it there main objective to be the most powerful country in the world but kept it in low. Their aggression only proves their willingness to spill blood for their benefits.Fritz Fischer published Germany’s Aims in the First World War (1961), have tended to agree that the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778) This quote is agreeable to me because it explains a historians point of view relating to mine. Germany wanted to be the superpower of the world and the only way for them to achieve their goal is to eliminate their opposing countries. To me it was nothing about the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand but more or less it was an excuse for Germany’s aggression for them to begin their quest.
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kdot99
said
I believe that Germany is to blame for WWI because Germany wanted a to be a “world-power.” Germany’s imperialistic ways got the best of them, so when the opportunity to have an excuse to start a war between Russia and France, they were the first to act upon Franz Ferdinand’s assasination to Austria-Hungary by backing them up in a to-be war between Serbia; allies of Russia. This is known as the “blank cheque.” Had Germany never taken this bold attempt toward imperialism, the war probably would’ve never happend.
“(Germany) it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start.
It is easy to see that Germany’s tensions between other nations to gain power increased the likelyhood of war and their purposeful plans and motives, such as the Schlieffen plan and the arms race between Britain’s navy and Germany’s navy, played a major role in the initiation of the war. All these examples of tensions point to German agression towards other nations for European domination. This is why Germany is at fault for WWI.
“…World War I and World War II had the same cause—the desire of German elites to use aggressive war to turn Germany from a regional power into a global superpower…”
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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ameliataylor33
said
Sheffield adds: “At best, Germany and Austria-Hungary launched a reckless gamble that went badly wrong. At worst, 1914 saw a premeditated war of aggression and conquest, a conflict that proved to be far removed from the swift and decisive venture that some had envisaged”.
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
This quote really defines how I feel about WWI. Germany was reckless and it got way out of hand, solely because of Germany. Germany egged on Austria-Hungary to make a rash decision.
“The alliance of Russia, France and Britain was defensive, provoked by Germany’s bellicose drive to become a global rather than merely regional power” http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
In this quote we see that Germany was just greedy. They wanted more than power, they wanted to be globally dominant. If Germany hadn’t been so insistent on gaining more colonies, money, and power, they wouldn’t of egged on Austria-Hungary and WWI could have possible not broken out.
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monicaaauribe10
said
Although WW1 had a series of events leading up to it I believe Germany is at fault for sparking such a massive war, “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Germany had the power to possibly avoid such a destructive war, yet because Germany wanted to be the strongest they looked over the fact that the ‘blank cheque’ situation could have been avoided.
Germany was willing to do almost anything to be at power. After the assassination of Franz Ferdinand things really got messy, “he simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). The fact that they wanted to be the most powerful and did not want anyone to realize how powerful they were aiming to be caused the downfall in their plan. They had many opportunities to reach out and potentially avoid the war all together but because they had such a strong mind set on being better, I would say Germany is in fact at fault for World War 1.
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kameronsnyder
said
I believe Germany is to blame for WW1. If the would have minded their own business, instead of issuing a ‘blank check’ to Austria-Hungary, they would have never pushed themselves into war. “Sir Max Hastings says that while no one nation deserves the blame alone, Germany is more guilty than most, as “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia”.(http://WWW.THEWEEK.CO.UK/WORLD-NEWS/FIRST-WORLD-WAR/59782/HOW-DID-THE-FIRST-WORLD-WAR-START). Germany’s plan for war was almost pre-meditated in a sense. They created the Schlieffen Plan, a 9 year drawn out plan for war, which was to soon end in failure. ”August 4, 1914 – Germany invades Belgium, leading Britain to declare war on Germany” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Their plan to go through Belgium, leading the attack on France, quickly backfired. Since Britain and France held an alliance together, this attack was soon shut down. These two main causes of war depict the perfect country to blame for the first world war.
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kelsiepearson
said
I think that Germany caused WW1 because of the withdrawal of the ‘blank cheque’.
“Germany is more guilty than most, as “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start)
A victory from Germany would be good for Germanys nation. “A German victory in World War I would have created a European superpower which, if less maniacal and murderous than Hitler’s aborted superstate, would have been much more formidable than the Soviet Union. Soviet Russia was a backward nation that controlled the poorest half of Europe during the Cold War. If it had prevailed in World War I, Imperial Germany would have been the most advanced nation of Europe, dominating the richest region in the world” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778) overall I think that Germany was the cause of WW1
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loghanhilton
said
By far Germany was responsible for the war. Although they weren’t the only ones to cause it, they were the ones more responsible than the others.”Sheffield adds: “At best, Germany and Austria-Hungary launched a reckless gamble that went badly wrong” http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start Austria Hungary was very upset with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and asked Germany for help and the ycreated the blank cheque. Germany knew exactly what they were doing once Austria Hungary came to them for help. “The major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.” http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778 As stated in the quote it’s clear to see who and what caused WW1. Germany’s people were very prideful of their country.
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ShaniyaHollis
said
We all know that the initial cause of the war was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Although this may have triggered the war, many other events before this that led to it as well. From my perspective, I would agree that Germany were the main country to blame. “Germany is more guilty than most, as “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). If Germany would have never took out the blank cheque, that wouldn’t have got other countries involved who were supporting Serbia. It would have simply left the war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. Looking at it this way, this shows how Alliances were a cause of the war.
“The major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). This quote shows how Imperialism was also one of the main causes of WWI. Germany wanted to extend countries power through diplomacy or even military force.
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Lauren Kiser
said
The immediate cause for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, “The events that led up to the assassination are significantly more complicated, but most scholars agree that the gradual emergence of a group of alliances between major powers was partly to blame for the descent into war.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). The country that started it, however, was Germany, “Instead, Germany’s rulers used Sarajevo as an excuse to do what it wanted to do anyway: convert itself into a “world power” by dominating Europe through war.” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). If Germany did not send Austro-Hungary a blank cheque, then Austro-Hungary wouldn’t have gone to war because they wouldn’t have a stronger country to defend them against Russia, who was backing Serbia. Each country held responsibility, but Germany held the most.
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dsantinelli
said
World War One was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, “His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist with ties to the secretive military group known as the Black Hand – propelled the major European military powers towards war.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start).
Gavrilo Princip may be responsible for igniting the flames of the Great War, but the country who is ultimately responsible is Germany. Their pursuit of becoming a superpower led to them making many irrational decisions predating the War, “most historians, ever since Fritz Fischer published Germany’s Aims in the First World War (1961), have tended to agree that the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778).
When combined with Germany’s blank cheque, Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum given to Serbia is a major cause of World War One. Germany’s insistence on fulfilling their Schlieffen Plan led to their attacking of Belgium, which in turn caused Great Britain to become involved in the War.
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Jacob Pachceo
said
I believe that there were two main causes of WW1, Germany, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. There were also many smaller causes that lead up the the assassination, but once he was killed, it set off a huge war.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
Germany had wanted to expand so badly that they were willing to go any length. “Sir Max Hastings says that while no one nation deserves the blame alone, Germany is more guilty than most, as “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
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Jacob Pacheco
said
particular part in sparking WW1, Germany has the most responsibility in the start of the war. Sheffield adds: “At best, Germany and Austria-Hungary launched a reckless gamble that went badly wrong. At worst, 1914 saw a premeditated war of aggression and conquest, a conflict that proved to be far removed from the swift and decisive venture that some had envisaged”. (http://WWW.THEWEEK.CO.UK/WORLD-NEWS/FIRST-WORLD-WAR/59782/HOW-DID-THE-FIRST-WORLD-WAR-START.) The country that I believe started WW1 was Germany. Germany obviously was not the only country that caused WW1 but they were the main aggressors. “Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war” (http://NATIONALINTEREST.ORG/FEATURE/GERMANYS-SUPERPOWER-QUEST-CAUSED-WORLD-WAR-I-10778)
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basic1mack
said
Two principles sit across from each other in a crowded school county meeting. One, lets call him Willy, is the youngest cousin in the district. Lately he’s become fed up with the sensation of belittlement his older brother, Nicky, has subjected his to for the entirety of his career. Today was the day, the ambitious Willy arose from his chair, runs over and shoves Peter to the floor. Suddenly, a standoff arose, two teams both with bulky, hulking men with their chest puffed out. This conflict would lead to the deaths of nearly half the district student population,nearly destroying the school. You’re probably wondering a few things, but for the sake of time and my argument focus on just one: Who was the cause of the conflict? The simple answer is obviously principal Nicky, his treatment of Willy created the the animosity that pushed him to act out in violence.
In the real life conflict that is know as the Great War, Russia is antagonizing the principal,or is most responsible the outbreak of war. Holding it’s transcontinental influence and power over Germany’s head. Even before the lead up to World War II Germany had a reputation of aggressive behavior toward the majors powers of Europe. Germany’s militaristic, a country that has government policy influenced by military interests, period changed the very culture of the young men of Germany. The men who would go on the enlist during the war placed their country’s interest ahead of their own safety, also known as nationalism. Therefore Tsar Nicholas (Nicky) surely knew the ramifications of allowing the idea of war to linger in the air too long.”Far from being remote rulers who knew nothing of their enemies, the heads of state of Britain, Germany and Russia – George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II – were first cousins who knew one another very well.” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start). Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas had a childish quarrel over Russia’s mobilization of their military. Considering war as a factor, Tsar also had a strong in interest in reclaiming its status after a humility lose to Japan in the “Russo-Japanese War of 1905” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_War) . This plus the declining conditions of life for Tsar’s people. Once the opportunity arose to “pop” Germany in the head while simultaneously reclaiming control over his starving people. The people of Russia wanted his head, so he attempted to give them Kaiser’s instead.
“ “sleepwalking” politicians who stumbled blindly into catastrophe” ( http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778 ), this is true with the exclusion of Russia. Russia’s leader could have easily prevented the war through respectful acknowledgement of Germany. History should reflect Russia’s ability to throw stones at a volatile scapegoat and hide its hands behind a mountain of dead bodies.
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Lillian Myers
said
I believe that Germany is the cause of World War 1 because Germany had been wanting to get in a war for a while but had no reason to, “Following the Archduke’s assassination, Berlin deliberately used the crisis in relations between its satellite Austria-Hungary and Russia’s satellite Serbia as an excuse for a general war that would establish German hegemony from Belgium to Baghdad. World War I started in 1914 for the same reason that World War II started in 1939—a government in Berlin wanted a war, though not the war it ultimately got.” (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778). Germany was allies to Austria-Hungary, so when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot and killed by a Serb, “The simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary. His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist with ties to the secretive military group known as the Black Hand – propelled the major European military powers towards war.”(http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start)
Germany sent a blank cheque to Austria-Hungary is case they needed anything if they decided to attack Serbia. So I think Germany is the main cause because thy kept poking into other countries business.
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amandamonge070
said
Since I have to pick, I’d say germany because they basically egged it on. They knew what they wanted to accomplish for themselves through the war. And Although I think that the war was caused because of the assassination of the Archduke (https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/273811/posts/1145821028) But I think that Germany is the country with the most fault. They knew what their intentions were for war.
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cressworthy
said
The country that caused World War I was Germany. Even before Germany sent the “Blank Cheque” that would support Austria Hungary in their attack of Serbia, Germany created tensions between Britian with their arms race. “it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.” http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
Germany really could have prevented this war but their wish to expand and faith in their military led them to not back down.
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tacodaddy
said
In both articles, most of the claims made by the historians mentioned in them point the finger towards Germany and their actions, which definitely fine-tuned the pressure put on each country to go into war. In the first article, Gary Sheffield claims that officials from the capital of each central country were plotting to “take a course that allowed for political advantages”.* This of course, is a nod towards the ‘Blank Cheque’, which could have been easily withdrawn or not issued in the first place.
Germany was keen on expanding their empire, in hopes to match up to the already vast and exemplary British and French empires. France and Britain felt threatened by Germany’s “bellicose drive to become a global, rather than a regional power”.** Britain was a great, vast empire due to many important factors, but one that is very well known is the use and function of their Royal Navy. Germany had soon commenced an arms race that had infuriated Britain as “any threat to Britain’s naval supremacy was a threat to the nation itself”.* Their conflicts with France in Morocco had set the table for how the Triple Entente would react to Germany’s declaration of war on both Russia’s satellite state, Serbia on July 28, 1914, and Britain and Russia’s ally, Belgium on August 4, 1914.
*HTTP://WWW.THEWEEK.CO.UK/WORLD-NEWS/FIRST-WORLD-WAR/59782/HOW-DID-THE-FIRST-WORLD-WAR-START
**HTTP://NATIONALINTEREST.ORG/FEATURE/GERMANYS-SUPERPOWER-QUEST-CAUSED-WORLD-WAR-I-10778
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victooorrrr6
said
Even though all countries play a critical part in erupting a war in Europe, Germany is to be held the most responsible. Anxious to be recognized as a world power, Germany became very ambitious towards its neighbors. Looking for an excuse to initiate a war with France and Russia, Germany seized the opportunity by Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s death. Knowing Austria-Hungary would eventually declare war on Serbia, Germany issued the “Blank Cheque” to their ally Austria-Hungary to increase tensions. Ultimately Germany’s militaristic and nationalistic interests led to their downfall. “(Germany) it alone had power to halt the descent to disaster at any time in July 1914 by withdrawing its ‘blank cheque’ which offered support to Austria for its invasion of Serbia.” http://WWW.THEWEEK.CO.UK/WORLD-NEWS/FIRST-WORLD-WAR/59782/HOW-DID-THE-FIRST-WORLD-WAR-START.
The dense tensions between Germany and other advanced nations increase dramatically the possibility of a great war. Germany’s renown plan named the Schlieffen Plan and motives to match Britain’s naval dominance, played a key part in starting a war. All these tensions are examples of Germany’s aggression towards it’s powerful neighbors which is why Germany is to be held responsible for starting the war. “…World War I and World War II had the same cause—the desire of German elites to use aggressive war to turn Germany from a regional power into a global superpower…” http://NATIONALINTEREST.ORG/FEATURE/GERMANYS-SUPERPOWER-QUEST-CAUSED-WORLD-WAR-I-10778
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Zeus10091998
said
To my understanding, Germany started this war. “The simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary. His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist with ties to the secretive military group known as the Black Hand – propelled the major European military powers towards war.” http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
This quote explains that the immediate cause was the death of Franz Ferdinand but in the long run, Germany started it when it declared war on France. Since they signed this secret treaty with the Ottoman Empire, they had their back along with Austria Hungary.
Germany was also antagonizing Great Britain by trying to out build them in a naval arma race. “A shipbuilding arms race with Germany began in 1898, but Britain had gained a technological edge over its rival by 1906, with the development of a new class of battleship – the dreadnought.”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
“But unlike the chattering classes, most historians, ever since Fritz Fischer published Germany’s Aims in the First World War (1961), have tended to agree that the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.” Germany’s lust to be a world power was never rivaled and they did anything it took to be noticed.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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Noah Rodriguez3443
said
To my understanding, Germany started this war. “The simplest answer is that the immediate cause was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary. His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist with ties to the secretive military group known as the Black Hand – propelled the major European military powers towards war.” http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
This quote explains that the immediate cause was the death of Franz Ferdinand but in the long run, Germany started it when it declared war on France. Since they signed this secret treaty with the Ottoman Empire, they had their back along with Austria Hungary.
Germany was also antagonizing Great Britain by trying to out build them in a naval arma race. “A shipbuilding arms race with Germany began in 1898, but Britain had gained a technological edge over its rival by 1906, with the development of a new class of battleship – the dreadnought.”
http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start
“But unlike the chattering classes, most historians, ever since Fritz Fischer published Germany’s Aims in the First World War (1961), have tended to agree that the major cause of World War I was Imperial Germany’s determination to become a “world power” or superpower by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped would be a brief and decisive war, like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.” Germany’s lust to be a world power was never rivaled and they did anything it took to be noticed.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778
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samanthaperez2699
said
Although the second articles blame Germany, I still feel as if Serbia was at fault. They knew exactly what they were doing and the outcome that was expected. Of course, when the archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in 1914 that it would cause commotion. Princip was part of the Black Hand and they had help from the Serbian Government, The government wanted to stir things up, yes Germany wanted to expand but they had no reason to start a war, so because Serbia committed that act Germany stepped in and took the moment.
¨Following the Archduke’s assassination, Berlin deliberately used the crisis in relations between its satellite Austria-Hungary and Russia’s satellite Serbia as an excuse for a general war that would establish German hegemony from Belgium to Baghdad. World War I started in 1914 for the same reason that World War II started in 1939—a government in Berlin wanted a war, though not the war it ultimately got¨(http://nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778)
The first article does blame a little bit of everyone. I found it more reasonable than the second article who solely blames Germany. They do not take other factors into consideration. “The Guardian identifies six people who, from a British perspective, had the largest roles in the events leading to the outbreak of war” (http://www.theweek.co.uk/world-news/first-world-war/59782/how-did-the-first-world-war-start).