Question 1

What were the main causes of WW1?

Accepted Answer

The main causes are often summarised as MAIN: Militarism (the arms race and glorification of war), Alliances (the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance), Imperialism (competition for colonies), and Nationalism (especially in the Balkans). The immediate cause was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, which triggered the July Crisis and led to declarations of war.

Question 2

How did the alliance system cause WW1?

Accepted Answer

The alliance system meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly involve others. For example, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilised to support Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia, and France was drawn in due to its alliance with Russia. Britain then joined because Germany invaded Belgium. The alliances turned a local crisis into a world war.

Question 3

Was Germany to blame for WW1?

Accepted Answer

Historians debate this. Germany's 'blank cheque' to Austria-Hungary and its Schlieffen Plan (which involved invading neutral Belgium) escalated the crisis. However, other powers also made aggressive moves: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilised early, and France encouraged Russia. The Treaty of Versailles placed sole blame on Germany, but many historians argue responsibility was shared.

Question 4

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Accepted Answer

The Schlieffen Plan was Germany's military strategy to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France through a surprise attack via neutral Belgium, then turning to fight Russia. It assumed Russia would take weeks to mobilise. However, the plan failed because Belgium resisted, Britain entered the war, and Russia mobilised faster than expected, leading to a stalemate on the Western Front.

Question 5

Why did Britain join WW1?

Accepted Answer

Britain joined the war primarily because Germany invaded neutral Belgium, violating the Treaty of London (1839) that guaranteed Belgian neutrality. Britain also had an alliance with France (the Entente Cordiale) and was concerned about German domination of Europe. Public opinion and strategic interests, such as preventing Germany from controlling Channel ports, also played a role.

Question 6

What was the July Crisis?

Accepted Answer

The July Crisis was the diplomatic breakdown between the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914 and the outbreak of war in early August. Key events include Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia (backed by Germany's 'blank cheque'), Serbia's partial acceptance, Austria-Hungary's declaration of war, Russian mobilisation, and Germany's declarations of war on Russia and France. The crisis showed how miscalculations and rigid military plans led to war.

The causes of the First World War

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