Causes of World War I
Jessa Cameron
5 Causes of World War I
To help you remember the 5 causes, we use an acronym. The acronym is M-A-N-I-A. I will tell you what each of them means and how they helped cause war.
M stands for... Militarism.
Militarism is the accumulation of weapons. Many countries were stocking up on weapons. So this caused a development of a nations military in preparation for a conflict. By doing this, Europe started to become paranoid. This made the atmosphere really edgy while they waited for someone to make the first move.
A stands for... Alliances
This is where country formed allies in Europe. They did this to create a balance of power. Instead of balancing things, it ended up making it unstable. One country would declare war. Then them, and whoever the declared war on, their allies would get involved, then their allies would get involved, and theirs, and so on.
N stands for... Nationalism
Nationalism is where one country feels superior or better to others. This caused war because one country would say, "I'm the best." Then other countries would disagree, and attempt to exert their dominance, and try to over-power other nations. Of course, they wouldn't go down without a fight. And that caused even more fighting.
I stands for... Imperialism
Imperilaism is where other countries try to take over other counties to increase territorial controls. This kind of linking with nationalism, if one countries tries to take over another, they won't be going down without a fight. The main points of focus in World War I were Africa, and parts of Asia.
A stands for... Assanation of Archduke Ferdinand
This was the thing that really was the big go to the war. He was killed by a Serbian nationalist Gavrillo Princip in Sarajaro, Bosnia. His wife was also killed. He was the next heir apparent to Austria-Hungary throne. This would be equivalent to someone assassinating our Vice President.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
He was born on December 18, 1863 at Graz, Austrain Empire. He died June 28, 1941 at Sarajevo, Austria at the age of 50.
Woodrow Wilson
He was the 28th president who served during the progressive term. He was president during World War I. He was actually a pacifist. He did not believe in war. But after they heard about the Zimmerman Tellegram, they had no choice but to take action.
Which do you feel was most responsible for World War I?
I feel that the main cause was the alliances. If you look at the picture above by the alliances, it shows one after another, after another fighting. Once one Country gets involved, then their allies get involved, them their allies, and so on. So this is what made it into a world war. And didn't have any room for anyone to remain neutral, which was America's intention at first.