However this broke down during the Balkan Wars. A major alliance was the Triple Alliance, which was a military alliance that lasted from 1882 to 1914. It was another attempt by Germany to isolate France further. Since Italy was concerned about France’s power in North Africa, it sought out to ally with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Each member promised mutual support in the event of an attack by any two other great powers, or for Germany and Italy, an
Why did world war 1 break out in 1914? I think the reason why world war 1 broke out In 1914 was because was to do with the making up of Alliances which caused all the countries to fight for the country they had made a treaty with but there are many reasons that build up to the great war. Alliances are agreements or promises to defend another country when in need. There were two alliances the Triple Alliance which consisted of Germany, Austria and Hungary and also Italy whereas the Triple Entente was made up of Britain, France and Russia. The Alliances were made to protect the country when in war or whilst away and fighting.
Weltpolitik could be argued to be a factor relating to the breakout of the First World War in August 1914. Although, it could be said that the war was avoidable and not inevitable, supported by Geiss in source 2 and Mombauer in source 3. On the other hand there are a two other main views which the sources suggest could be accountable for the outbreak of the war, with Deist source 1 mainly pushing for the political decision makers in the Kaiser and his military cabinet, such as Molkte and Tiripitz. The final factor that all three sources partially suggest is the impact of the tensions in the Balkans, mainly between the Austro-Hungarians and the Russians. Altogether, the idea that Weltpolitik made the First World War inevitable by August 1914 is short sighted as this is not entirely accountable for the war but was a contribution.
A somewhat controversial notion is that Germany was responsible for the outbreak of the war, evident in the country’s aggressive actions towards foreign policy and their non hesitant approach to the devision of the military planning and developments. It is difficult to conclude whether this opinion is totally reliable due to the strong part Germany did play in the build up to the war. Whether their actions were protective, in attempt to gain higher power status or preparatory for war, Germany cannot wholly be to blame. As many historians have less controversially said, the fragile alliance systems; the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance; in the setting of early twentieth century Europe meant that several countries were involved in the issues occurring in this time. Britain, France, Russia, Austria-Hungary and Germany all had a significant part play in the the outbreak of the first world war.
For a few years America tried to isolate itself from the rest of the world trying to ignore the fight leading up to World War Two. As timed passed and the war tensions increased, America tries to make several international agreements. They made a disarmament conference, as well as treaties with Japan. Despite their hard effort for world peace a world war was unavoidable. During the early 30s America’s foreign policy began to change.
Source W seems to take the opposite approach deeming how Germany’s aggressive actions since the turn of the century resulted in war. Source X seems to take a neutral decision and admits how it is a matter of great controversy but points towards the fact that Germany had always wanted colonial expansion, and also that there is an array of information that supports this. Therefore, I believe that the outbreak of war in Europe was due to an aggressive foreign policy which had been waged from 1900. Source W suggests that aggressive Weltpolitik was a major contributing factor leading up to the start of the First World War. After seeing the successes of the British Empire, Kaiser Wilhelm decided that he too wanted an empire and wished for one that could match and outstrip Britain.
The next crises is the Balkan crises taking place in 1908. So Austria wanted to claim Serbia as a colony but the problem was that Serbia belonged to Russia. And basically the two countries’ rulers talked things down as well. The next crises is the second morocco crises, and again Germany was meddling in French affairs but only this time German sent a gun boat to be on standby in case France did anything in retaliation. France ended up giving Congo to Germany in order for them stop and they did.
The measures that were attempted between 1925 and 1929 to preserve peace and security in Europe were the signings of the Locarno Pact in 1925, the Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928 and the Young Plan in 1929. The flaws and weaknesses of these security measures were all fatally flawed in its ambition to have no more war. The Locarno Pact was signed in 1925 between 5 nations, Germany, France, Belgium, Britain and Italy. This was a measure attempted between 1925 and 1929 to preserve peace and security in Europe because in it, the border between Germany, Belgium and France was guaranteed in theory from attack by either side. If any side broke the pact and invaded one of the other countries, Britain and Italy promised to come to the aid of the victim.
They consisted of Britain, Russia and France against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (who later switched sides). I believe that alliances were the most important cause of WW1, because instead of making allies to prevent war, the alliance system actually had an opposite effect. Alliances are a long-term cause to WW1 because they take a considerably long time to make. It led to distrust for each country and secrecy with some countries resulting in an increase in tension. The main leaders of ‘World War 1’ in the ‘Triple Entente’ were George V (British Empire), Raymond Poincaré (France) and Nicholas II (Russia).
France thought the war would not only help by stopping Germany’s increase in power. It would also help Napoleon III to regain his popularity after some of his failures after the commencement of his dictatorship, such as the Mexican adventure of 1867. I will now go onto the short term reasons. Firstly, Spain needed a king and Bismarck saw his chance to send Prince Leopold to become king there. France protested because they thought that having German influence on both sides would be too much if conflict would have occured.