Why Did Alliances Cause Ww1

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World War I, also known as the Great War, was originated in Europe then developed to a global scaled conflict. It has lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Over sixteen million people were sacrificed as a result of this bloody war. The main participants of World War 1 were Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Germany, Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria and other minor countries who were also dragged into this conflict. A variety of factors had contributed to WW1, however militarism and alliances had played equally the greatest role in causing WW1. Militarism encouraged countries to develop their military and financial power so they could enter the war. Militarism also result in aggressiveness between …show more content…

It is originally designed for countries to seek for protection, but it eventually created a domino effect which pulled every country into the war. The July Crisis is a fantastic example of the effect of alliances. After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a member of the royal family of Austria-Hungary by a Serb, Austria-Hungary had used this as an excuse to declare war on Serbia, which gain Germans " blank cheque" to support to Austria-Hungarians. A few countries were fairly disappointed by this nasty move of Austria-Hungary. Sir Edward Grey had sent a letter to the Austria Hungarian to show Britain's disappointment upon them on July 27, 1914, "As the British Government knew, the Austrian Government had for many years endeavoured to find a way to get on with their turbulent neighbour... I said that I could not understand the construction put by the Austrian Government upon the Serbian reply...". Soon after, a series of declarations against The Germans and Austria-Hungary occurred. This is where alliances had played a big role. First started with declaration from Russia, then to France and Belgium, soon joined Britain for the treaty of London(an agreement made to protect Belgium's neutrality). Without alliances, the many countries would not be involved in the Great War then it would not be as

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