Question

Write causes of the First World War: Immediate Cause

Hint:

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the spark that ignited the FirstWorld War, but underlying factors such as alliances, nationalism, and militarizationcreated the conditions for war.

Answer 1

The immediate cause of the First World War was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. This event triggered a series of diplomatic and military actions that ultimately led to the outbreak of the war.

1. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group, the Black Hand. This assassination is considered the immediate cause of the war.
2. Austria-Hungary’s Response: Austria-Hungary, with the backing of Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding strict measures to suppress anti-Austrian sentiments. Serbia, backed by Russia, rejected some of the terms, and Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
3. The Domino Effect of Alliances: The declaration of war triggered the system of alliances in Europe. Russia, allied with Serbia, mobilized its forces against Austria-Hungary. Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia. France, allied with Russia, was drawn into the conflict, and Germany’s invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the war.
4. Escalation into a World War: Within a matter of days, what had started as a localized conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia escalated into a global war, as the alliance system dragged in most of the European powers and their colonies, eventually involving nations from around the world.

In conclusion, while the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate cause, the system of alliances, nationalism, and militarization had already created the conditions for a large-scale conflict.