WWI DBQ

WWI the "Great War," involved all of the great powers of Europe and killed more than 8 million soldiers. Discuss the reasons that lead to the rising international tensions that sparked WWI.

World War One's fire was started by many sparks. There were previous wars leading to peace treaties. There were also assassinations and deaths. The deaths lead to new leaders with different view points and changes within the countries. However, the most prominent reason that lead to the international tensions starting WWI, was the assassination of the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand because of the outburst of violence and rage towards Serbia seen in Austria-Hungary.

In June 1914, the Archduke and his wife were assassinated when their driver accidentally took a wrong turn. The murderers were allegedly Serbians, which caused a great uproar against Serbia as a whole. Austria-Hungary waged war against Serbia for this murder of their esteemed Archduke and is seen in Document seven that this was sent to Vienna as well to give reason as to why they were waging war. Austria-Hungary also brought Germany into the war on their side because Russia came into the war on the side of Serbia. In Document one, Article one, it clearly states that if one of the countries were to be attacked by Russia, then the other country would come to the aid of the attacked country. Germany was legally bound to Austria-Hungary, therefore forcing them to join forces and fight against Russia and Serbia. Italy also joined in on the side of Austria-Hungary with Germany, creating the Triple Alliance between all three of them as seen in Document two Article four.

Germany is the first to attack physically and wages war against France and Russia. Emperor William II sent notification to Tsar Nicholas II in Document eight stating this fact, because Russia had mobilized their army and navy against Austria-Hungary, in effect also mobilizing against Germany. Although the two great leaders were cousins, they had to fight against each other for the good of their allies. It is also noted in Document nine that because of this mobilization, Germany had to wage war against Russia even though they had been peaceful towards each other previous to this campaign by Austria-Hungary against Serbia. Thus began the battle between Germany and Russia as well as France. Austria-Hungary had only waged war against Serbia throughout this whole dispute.

Serbia throughout this whole conflict was trying to mobilize their own revolutionary army against those who did not like the idea of the Serbian ideal. Anyone and everyone could fight against outside enemies to remove the conflicting ideas. Document six is talking about how Serbia needed an army. They needed an army to build up and fight against the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

In conclusion, the entire war would not have been started if Archduke Franz Ferdinand had not been assassinated. Austria-Hungary would not have created such an upheaval against the main powers of Europe. Germany never would have had to wage war against their friend, Russia. Conflicts against countries never would have started in the first place. If Serbia had not killed their next in line leader, WWI would have never happened.