Essay Examples on World War I

1st Essay Sample on World War I

World War I was the result of leaders’ aggression towards other countries, which was supported by the rising nationalism of the European nations. Economic and imperial competition and fear of war prompted military alliances and an arms race, which further escalated the tension contributing to the outbreak of war.On the European continent there were chiefly five raising great powers.On one side France, Britain, and Russia and on the other were the Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey.

All were trying to establish themselves as the preeminent power on the continent. Armies and navies were greatly expanded. The standing armies of France and Germany doubled in size between 1870 and 1914. Naval expansion was also extremely competitive, particularly between Germany and Great Britain.

By 1889, the British had established the principle that in order to maintain naval superiority in the event of war they would have to have a navy two and a half times as large as the second-largest navy.

Another factor which contributed to the increase in rivalry in Europe was imperialism. Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa.On June 28, 1914 Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the provincial capital of Sarajevo setting the wheels of war in motion.

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Immediately following the assassination Germany pledged its full support to Austria-Hungary, pressuring them to declare war on Serbia, while France strengthened its backing of Russia.Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

2nd Essay Sample on World War I

It is hard to point out one specific incident that led to World War I but rather it was a culmination of many different events that led to the most catastrophic war of its time. The United States pledged to stay neutral during the war but with great economic investments with the allies the United States found itself involved in exporting billions of dollars worth of provisions to England and France. President Wilson devised a foreign policy to protect America but he could not keep the United States out of the war. By the time the United States entered the war Wilson was already working on his Fourteen Points and League of Nations policies. The events that led to World War I are complex.

The origins of the war are still controversial. Germans desire for greater power and influence led to an arms race with Britain. Britain responded by building a more powerful navy. Germany was looking for overseas colonies, which led to clashing with both Britain and France. The Austria-Hungarian Empire had problems with the Balkans especially Serbia.

On June 28, 1914 the tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia came to a head when a Slavic terrorist group assassinated the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The assassination triggered a chain of events that culminated in the world’sfirst global war. Europe had divided into two alliances: the Triple Alliance, which included the countries of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy and the Triple Entente, which consisted of France, Russia and Great Britain. After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia. Serbia refused the “impossible demands” Austria-Hungary asked of them.

On July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, announced its plans to mobilize its army in defense of Serbia. The mobilization of Russia’s troops would take six weeks.