It's a good, short list, no? In the end it appears that #1 was the strongest. Without such commitments the was may very well not have materialized, right?
Survey sez: Family Feud>Check out the family tree of all the royal families of Europe... every one kin to Queen Victoria by blood, marriage, or both.The reality is 1-4; assassination was just the match... might have been some other spark but the first four were the fodder. Taught WWI for about 9 years. You are spot on!
Nope you've pretty much nailed it. Much of what Wilson was trying to sell in the 14 Points was a knee-jerk reaction to the four main reasons.Secret (and not so secret) alliances, the arms race, trying to corner the market (and the supplies)... this is what the imperialism was about, not sending settlers out like in the 1600's, and just plain jingoism... my country can wipe your country.That's about it, though one can do a PM on each and get all the gory details.
Mobilization was another. Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.
Mobilization was another. Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.
Indeed; once it commenced, but remember the time frame (assassination to actual fighting) was about a month +/- if I remember right.
They just wanted to make sure it gone done I guess. I read somewhere one of the would be assasins blew himself up when he threw a grenade. http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/princip.htm
William II's dismissal of Bismarck played a huge factor because Bismarck was keeping the peace in Europe…or at least peace between the major powers. But here's what I think is the #1 major reason: The Balkan Crisis. The Serbs were infuriated with the Austrians over how to divide the defeated Ottoman Empire. The Triple Alliance and Triple Entente set the sides. WWI was inevitable.Man, between the late 1890's and 1914 a LOT of stuff happened! (and I used to think history was boring)
Mobilization was another. Once mobilization commenced, it couldn't be undone because it outpaced the diplomatic efforts and communication capabilities.
Actually it was because Russia's military plans only included mobilizing against Austria AND Germany at the same time. There was no alternate plan, and the Russian military leaders said it would cause chaos within their military if they only mobilized against Austria. And Germany's only war plans involved a two front war with Russia and France (who they thought would be an easy victory...although I think the underlying reason is because Germany, especially William II, was hungry for a war with France for over a decade).Wally, June 28 the assasination. July 28 Austria declared war on Serbia. And within less than a week Germany, France, Great Britain, and Russia all declared war.
.... Wally, June 28 the assasination. July 28 Austria declared war on Serbia. And within less than a week Germany, France, Great Britain, and Russia all declared war.
... the time frame (assassination to actual fighting) was about a month +/- if I remember right.
;D
There were no de-mobilization plans because everyone assumed once mobilization commenced, there was no turning back the inertia.