Discussion on The Inevitability of World War One

Discussion on The Inevitability of World War One

World War I was a unique event, since it was the first war to involve

all major powers of the world. The First World War was inevitable,

because of all events that happened prior to it, with exception of the

assassination of the Archduke every other cause had a root years

earlier, so no matter what, the war would have happened at

approximately the same time.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia on June 28,

1914 was the event that directly caused the First World War. (Causes)

It was the "spark" for the Great War, but also a coincidence.

(Features) If the Serbian nationalist who did it was not in the

exactly same café in front of which Franz Ferdinand stopped, this

would not have occurred at all. If he was not dead, then Austria -

Hungary would not have sent Serbia an ultimatum, and declared war on

July 28, 1914. (Features) Thus, this coincidence actually is what

directly caused the war at that particular moment. However, even if it

hadn't occurred, the war would have started in the near future.

One of the things that made the First World War practically inevitable

was the strong will for power that some countries had. Germany, for

example, was pretty confident that it can become a major power and was

ready to do whatever it takes to become one.( 11.2 Causes) So Germany

wanted to fight, in order to get more powerful and control more

things. Great Britain, France and Russia had similar if not completely

the same goals. Thus, sooner or later they would have fought a war for

power.

Imperialism was another important feature that caused World War I and

that was one of the reasons for the war to be inevitable. (11.2

Causes) Before 1914 European countries were fighting who will get more

territory outside Europe, since that brings more raw materials, and

possibilities for trading. (11.2 Causes) At a point though, the

territory they could get was already divided among them.