Causes
- Nationalism was a big part of WWI. People had deep pride for their countries and tried to make them better. This was especially true for Germany and Italy. To make their country better, Germany wanted to take advantage of Imperialism. They could trade and get more money. Germany developed later then countries like Britain. This meant that by the time Germany was ready to colonize countries, the choices were limited. This caused jealousy. This eventually led to Alliance Systems and then war so they could get their colonies.
- Also, people who loved their country wanted to make their army better so they were better then other countries. This was called Militarism. These better armies paired in with nationalist pride led to war.
- Alliance Systems caused all the countries to join the war.
- Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary was responsible for bringing Germany into the war. Germany supported Austria after they declared war on Serbia for the assassination of King Franz Ferdinand.
- Russia issued a partial defensive mobilization when it found out that Serbia was under threat. Now Russia is in the war.
- France's alliance with Russia brought it into the war.
- Britain debated entering the war when its ally, France, was threatened, but made the final decision to enter when Belgian was invaded by Germany.
- WWI started with an act of terrorism.
- A Serbian man assassinated Austria Hungary King Franz Ferdinand.
- This led to Austria waging war on Serbia and made a connection of war waging as sated in alliance systems.
- Militarism made war easier.
- There was a big rivalry between Germany and Britain.
- Increased military and naval rivalry led not only to the belief that war was coming and increase in military control of the civilian government which also increased cooperation among the military staff of the countries of the same alliances.
- When one country made their army better, another countries made theirs better to keep up.
- As a result of the armaments race, all the European powers were prepared for a war by 1914.
- Militarism was a cause of WWI because it prepared all the participating countries for the war with weapons and miliatry .
Effects
- War was always romanticized as heroic and fun.
- After WWI people saw the brutality of war.
- The trenches in trench warfare in WWI was disgusting. It was muddy and moist. People got long time diseases from the water. Poison bombs were launched into trenches and people died for respiratory problem.
- They smelled decomposing flesh and bodies of soldiers were there.
Note this video is made by Crashcourse. This video explains all other effects of the Industrial Revolution. It also explains causes.
This comic briefly explains the main story, causes, and major effects of WWI.