Part One: Causes of the First World War

Causes that led to the First World War

1. The Alsace-Lorraine problem
2. Bismarck’s policy of alliance
3. Race for colonies
4. The Situation in the Eastern Europe
5. The imperialistic policy of Germany
6. The division of Europe into two political blocs
7. The Sarajevo incident

1. The Alsace-Lorraine problem

• In 1870s the war that took place between France and Germany (Franco-Prussian war/ Franco-
German war) in the cause of unification of Germany was won by Germany.
• As a result, the Alsace-Lorraine region which is rich in iron and coal was annexed (joined) to
Germany
• Since this was a great loss to France, France developed antagonistic (hostile) attitudes towards
Germany.

• Prussia is a small state that existed along with other smaller states instead of Germany before 1870s.

1. Bismarck’s policy of alliance

• Otto Von Bismarck was the architect of German unification.

• He was a clever statesman (a skilled, experienced and respected political leader)
• His tactic was to isolate France in Europe, so that France would not be able to make friends and rise
against Germany.
• He even took steps to develop relations with some European countries to strengthen Germany
• In 1873, Germany formed the “League of the Three Emperors” among Russia, Austria-Hungary and
Germany
• In 1879, Germany entered into a secret military alliance with Austria-Hungary, known as the “Dual
Alliance”
• In 1882, Italy too became a partner of alliance and it was named “Alliance of the Central Powers”
• However, in 1890, the powers of Bismarck were removed as the rulers of Germany were unable to
maintain these alliances diplomatically.

1. Race for colonies

• Most of the European countries became industrialized by the middle of the 19th century and wanted
open markets to sell their finished goods and to secure their raw materials. Therefore, a race took
place.
• Britain was the main country who could have many colonies in the Asian and African region.
• Other countries such as Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain and Holland also possessed colonies
• Germany too had the power after they obtained mineral resources from Alsace –Lorraine region
• Entrance of Germany to Asian and African countries threatened Britain.
Moroccan crisis 1911
In 1904, Morocco had been given to France by Spain, but the Moroccans wanted their
independence and serious internal conflicts started to rise. In 1906, Germany announced their support
for Moroccan independence. War was narrowly avoided by a conference (Algeciras conference) which
allowed France to retain possession of Morocco. However, in 1911, the Germans were again protesting
French possession of Morocco. Britain supported France, and Germany was persuaded to back down to
a part of French Congo.
The Germans sent the gunboat “Panther” to the Moroccan port of Agadir (a port in the
southwest of Morocco), claiming that the French had ignored the terms of the conference. This
provoked a major war scare in Britain until the Germans agreed to leave Morocco to French in return for
the rights of Congo.
1. The Situation in the Eastern Europe

• There were number of ethnic groups within the Balkan states of Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania.
• The Balkan states were located in the middle of Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea and
Black sea.
• There was continuous internal confusion among these countries due to ethnic conflicts.
• Therefore Austria-Hungary, France and Germany were observant of the moves of Russia who were
trying to spread their power into Balkan states.
• The Slavs, Serbians, Greeks and Bulgarians who were under the Austro-Hungarian and Turkish
empires were not permitted to rise as independent nations. Hence there was a situation where a
war could start at any moment.
• Even the immediate cause for World War I took place in Eastern Europe: the assassination of
Archduke.
• Apart from nations, even strong provinces such as Bosnia and Macedonia possessed land in the
Balkan region.

1. The imperialistic policy of Germany

• Imperialism – A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of
military forces or other means.
• The imperialistic policy of Germany influenced WWI in several ways.
• Bismarck knew that to create a strong Germany, they should possess several colonies and a strong
navy.
• In this situation, Bismarck knew the following points:
▪ Possessing of colonies would be a challenge to Britain
▪ If Britain became an enemy of Germany, it would be an obstruct to the policy of keeping France
isolated
• Therefore, Bismarck tactfully formed the alliances and maintained friendly relations with Britain.
• However, Wilhelm II who became Kaiser (Emperor) of Germany in 1888 was unable to grasp
Bismarck’s policy.

1. The division of Europe into two political blocs (community/ union/ alliance/ federation)

• Britain came to know that Germany is a threat for them when the German ruler did not follow the
policy of Bismarck.
• In 1904, the “Alliance of Friendship” was signed between France and Britain.
• Later in 1907, with the entry of Russia, it became “Triple Entente”.

1. The Sarajevo incident

• This was the immediate cause for the First World War.
• After the incident,
▪ Austria-Hungary became antagonistic towards Serbia.
▪ Austria-Hungary implied that this was a conspiracy against her.
▪ Austria-Hungary claimed for damages from Serbia
▪ Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28th July 1914