World War I Begins (ME) Eric Herber

          Most people choose to believe that the assassination of the heir to Austria-Hungary, Archduke Ferdinand, was the event that started World War I. In reality, the tensions leading up to WWI started back in the 1870s. In 1870, Germany invaded France in order to unify the different German states into one nation, this created enemies between the two for many years to come. In order to protect themselves from France, Germany signed alliances with Italy and Austria-Hungary; this was known as the Triple Alliance. The creation of alliances is known to be one of the main reasons for the start of WWI. This new alliance alarmed the Russians because they feared that Germany’s goal was to expand eastward. In result, the Russians created an alliance with France and promised to assist each other if a war between the Triple Alliance happened to occur. As the years went on, the Germans began building a strong navy to intimidate the other nations. As a result of this naval buildup, Britain was forced to join into the alliances. In order to protect Europe from any one country getting too powerful, Britain decided to join sides with Russia and France, although Britain never signed an official alliance; this was known as the Triple Entente.

            At about the same time that alliances were being made, the Balkans of south-eastern Europe were looking for independence and a nation for all Balkans to reside. The Balkans all spoke a similar language and had the same culture, so they viewed themselves as one people. The first of the South Slavs to gain independence were the Serbs with the formation of Serbia. From then on, the Serbs believed that their goal was to unite all the South Slavs and become the nation for the Balkans to reside. It is no surprise that the Serbs were angered when Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia in 1908. This annexation showed the Serbs that Austria-Hungary had no intention of allowing the Slavic people to become independent.

            The act that sparked the First World War occurred in June 1914 at Sarajevo, Bosnia. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were visiting the capital when they were shot and killed by a member of the terrorist group called Black Hand. This attack sparked great controversy between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, which lead to the beginning of war.

            As Austria-Hungary prepared for war with Serbia, they knew that Russia was at Serbia’s side. In preparation for the war, Austria-Hungary asked Germany to support them if war was to begin. The Germans promised to be at their side as an agreement to the Triple Alliance. As a result of this alliance, the Russians and the Serbs counted on France to support them if war erupted. The French agreed to support them in combat. On July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, sparking the beginning of World War I. In response, Russia immediately mobilized their army and positioned on Germany’s border.

            In response to Russia’s activation of military, Germany decided to make a war plan. Their plan was a risky plan that did not end up being successful in this war. The German Army planned to march through neutral Belgium in order to reach France. Once they got to France, they planned on destroying the French within a couple of months. Then, after they were victorious in west, they were to head east in order to defeat the Russians. This was not a very well thought plan and the Germans didn’t anticipate the possibility of Britain joining the war, but that is exactly what happened. As soon as the Germans marched into Belgium, the British gathered their military and joined the war.

            Within a month, the war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia had expanded to the First World War. With Russia, Britain, and France being a part of the Triple Entente, they all joined the war in a short amount of time. And with the Triple Alliance being made of Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, they too joined the war within a month. Later in the war, the United States of America joined the war when there were attacks on U.S. ships.