Identify the nations that went to war in 1914 Explain at least three causes of World War 1 and What effect did World War 1 have on the European consciousness?

Answer 1

The nations that went to war in 1914 include Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Russia, and The United States of America.

One cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand "heir to the thron of Austria-Hungary…" (Perry, Berg, & Krukones, 2011). "The assassination triggered those explosive forces that lay below the surface of European life. Six weeks later, Europe was engulfed in a general war that altered the course of Western civilization" (Perry, Berg, & Krukones, 2011). His assassination was organized by the Black Hand.

"Historians regard a surging militarism as an underlying cause of World War I" (Perry, Berg, & Krukones, 2011). According to the text the signs of militarism include rapid increase in expenditures for armaments in the years prior to 1914. Both Austria-Hungry and Germany doubled their militarybudgets before the war.

Another cause of the war was the number of alliances that had been signed by countries between 1879 and 1914. This meant that if one country declared war on another other counties in the alliance had no option but to go to war as well. "A danger inherent in an alliance is that a country, knowing that it has the support of allies, may pursue an aggressive foreign policy and may be less likely to compromise during a crisis; also, a war between two states may well draw in the other allied powers" (Perry, Berg, & Krukones, 2011).

"World War I caused many intellectuals to have grave doubts about the Enlightenment tradition and the future of the West" (Perry, Berg, & Krukones, 2011). The war made Europeans realizes that everyone and every nation are mortal. They refused to believe in the war and it happened. It was the most bloody and destructive war of its time.

Perry, M., Berg, M., & Krukones J. (2011). Sources of European history: Since 1900 (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage.