Causes of World War 1 Essay: First World War is one of the greatest wars that is known in the history of humankind. The War came to be known as ‘The Great War’ because of the great impact that the War had throughout the world and his significance in history.
World War 1 was the first worldwide destructive conflict that Western Civilization had faced. The War has been the focus of a numerous analysis which gave different explanations, interpretations and re-examinations of the countless causes that led to the start of the War.
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Long and Short Essays on Causes of World War 1 for Students and Kids in English
We provide the students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Causes Of World War 1 for reference.
Long Essay on Causes of World War 1 500 Words in English
Long Essay on Causes of World War 1 is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.
World War 1 was a worldwide war that started in July 1914 and officially came to an end on November 11, 1918. The War had originated in Europe, and it gradually developed into a world war. Similarly known as ‘the war of all ends’, it led the mobilization of 70 million military personnel, which included 60 million Europeans making it one of the largest wars in history.
Tension among the European countries had been increased due to militarism, nationalism, imperialism and mutual defence alliances which served as major causes that led to the War.
Militarism is the trend towards developing military resources for both national defence and protection of colonial interest. As the world walked into the 20th century, a race of arms had begun. Germany, by 1914 had the greatest increase in their military build-up.
Both Great Britain and Germany increased their navies in this period. Further, in Russia and Germany, particularly the military establishment started to have a great influence on public policies. This increase in militarism pushed the countries to get involved in the War.
A major reason for the War was based on the desire of the Slavic people in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be a part of Austria Hungary but rather be a part of Siberia. This is why nationalism directly led to the War. However, in a more general way, the nationalism of various European countries contributed not only to the beginning but also the extension of the War in Europe. Each country tried their level best in proving their dominance and power.
When a country increases its power and wealth by bringing in additional territories under their control, it is known as imperialism. Africa and parts of Asia, before World War 1, were points of dispute among the European countries. This was principally true because of the raw materials that these areas provide. The desire for greater empires and increasing competition led to an increase in the conflict that helped push the world towards the Great War.
Over time, countries throughout Europe made mutual defence alliances that eventually would pull them into battle. Treaties were signed, that meant that if one country was attacked that the other countries were bound to defend the country.
The immediate cause of World War 1 was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, which other points come to play. In June of 1914, the Black Hand a Serbian-nationalist terrorist group was sent to assassinate the Archduke.
They failed at their first attempt when the driver avoided the grenade thrown at their car. However, later the same day a Serbian nationalist GavriloPrincip assassinated the Archduke and his wife while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a part of Austria Hungary. This was done in protest to Austria-Hungary having control over the region. Serbia wanted to take over Herzegovina and Bosnia.
Austria-Hungary announced war on Serbia as a result of this assassination. Russia began to mobilize its forces due to its alliance with Serbia when Germany declared war on Russia. Hence began the expansion of the War and all those countries involved in mutual defence alliances got involved.
Short Essay on Causes of World War 1 150 Words in English
Short Essay on Causes of World War 1 is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
The causes of World War 1, the deadliest War in the history of humanity, remain controversial. The War began in Balkans on June 28, 1914, and lasted for almost four years and finally came to an end on November 11, 1918.
The War also resulted as one of the deadliest conflicts in history with an approximate of 9 million combatant deaths 13 deaths of civilians as a direct result of the War. The main factors that led to the War were nationalism, imperialism, alliances and militarism.
By the end of the War over 17 million people would have lost their lives, and the reasons why the War had erupted is much more complex than a simple list of causes. Even though it is a chain of events that led to the fighting, the actual causes are more complicated and deeper that remains a part of continued debate and discussion.
10 Lines on Causes of World War 1 in English
- The main cause of World War 1 was a difference over foreign policies.
- World War 1 was an all-encompassing universal war that was centred in Europe but affected the whole world.
- World War 1 lasted for exactly four years, three months and fourteen days.
- One hundred thirty-five countries took part in World War 1.
- More than 15 million people died.
- It was a military conflict that lasted for four years from 1914 to 1918.
- There were two opposing alliances – the Central Powers and the Allies.
- Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, that is when World War 1 officially begun.
- India supported Britain as a British Colony.
- The First World War was also called the Trench War as it was fought from trenches.
FAQ’s on Causes of World War 1 Essay
Question 1.
Name the two allies of the First World War.
Answer:
The Central Powers and the Allied Powers.
Question 2.
Which countries formed the Allied Powers?
Answer:
Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Russia and the USA formed the Allied Powers.
Question 3.
Which countries formed the Central Powers?
Answer:
Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire and Turkey formed the Central Powers.
Question 4.
Why did the First World War end?
Answer:
When both the allies signed the Peace Treaty known as armistice, the First World War came to an end in November 1918.