Examine the actual responsibility of European powers
during the outbreak of the WWI.
This question asks you the causes of the WWI. However, you must select the relevant
facts about each country on each factor. You should not write the factors only.
This question also asks you the responsibility of all major European powers: namely
Austria, Germany, France, Britain and Russia, possibly with Italy and Serbia. You
should explain clearly how such responsibilities caused the outbreak of WWI. It is
better if you could figure out which country should take most responsibility.
Suggested Plan:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Responsibility of Germany:
a. She started the alliance system for isolating France. Just write the outline of
the process is enough and DON’T write in detail.
b. She built dreadnoughts, which had naval rivalry with Br. It led to the tension
between these two countries.
c. She planned to build the Berlin-Baghdad railway and hence had conflict
with powers in the Balkans. Pan-German movement led to more conflicts
with other powers.
d. She started the Moroccan Crises and hence tightened the military
cooperation between France and Britain.
e. She supported Austria after the assassination at Sarajevo by giving her the
blank cheque.
f. She followed the Schlieffen Plan, which involved France, Russia and finally
Britain when Germany attacked Belgium.
Responsibility of France:
a. She tried to break her isolation by allying with Russia and Britain. It then
led to the formation of the two armed camps.
b. She tried to expand in Morocco and hence had conflicts with Germany.
Tension was resulted.
c. Besides, she also built up her army through conscription.
Responsibility of Britain:
a. Her naval rivalry with Germany, support to France during the Moroccan
crises and her involvement in the Triple Entente divided Europe into two
armed camps and hence tension and suspicion were resulted.
b. It is often argued that if only Britain warned Germany earlier about Britain
concern on Belgium and her support to France, Germany might not be dare
to fight against France and follow the Schlieffen Plan.
Responsibility of Austria:
a. Her expansion in the Balkans led to the conflict with Serbia and hence
Bosnian Crisis was resulted. Besides, her involvement after the Balkan
Wars indirectly led to the Assassination at Sarajevo. Tension was resulted.
b. Her ultimatum to Serbia provided the immediate cause of the WWI.
Responsibility of Russia:
a. Her support to the Slavs, especially the Serbians, through Pan-Slav
movement led to many conflicts in the Balkans.
b. Her support to Serbia indirectly led to the strong resistance of Serbia
against Austria and hence indirectly encouraged the Austro-Serbian rivalry,
for which Assassination at Sarajevo was resulted.