What started the first World War.

The events that caused WW1 consisted of a build up of different events. The WW1 start in 28th July 1914 but the events witch would trigger the war can be seen as far back as 1906.

In Europe there were two main alliances, one alliances created in 1907 Triple entente was between Britain, France and Russia and the other alliance in Europe was the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy created in 1882

Map of alliances. BBC. (2012) BBC. 'http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/hq/causes1_01.shtml'.  

Before 1906 Germany was not considered as a threat. The kaiser often visited Britain and even had ties between the British and German royal family. The Kaiser was the great nephew to the Queen Victoria. Which made the king of England, George V a cousin to the Kaiser Wilhelm II. George V only became King in 1910, 2 years before WW1. 


Wilhelm II. A.Heimann. (2008). TopNews.in. 'http://topnews.in/emperors-last-resting-place-castle-doorn-netherlands-290182'. 

In 1906 England and Germany started a navel arms race with each other which would continued until the WW1 breaks out. The arms race started because of Britain feared they might be attacked, not necessarily from Germany, it was purely started as a precaution. Germany respond this to this increase the of navel ships by increasing their own navel army. As both nations wanted the best and most modern navel. The ship of choose were dreadnoughts. Between 1906 and 1914 Britain had increased it number of dreadnoughts from 1 to 29 not including any other types of ship. Germany didn't make as many by 1914 with only 17 dreadnoughts.



Dreadnought. mcfato392, (2012). Glogster.'http://mcfato392.edu.glogster.com/glog-ww1-causes/'

The biggest factor that caused WW1 was the Bosnian crisis in 1908 which took place in the Balkans. within the the Balkans was the empire Austria-Hungary. the Austria empire consisted of 15 countries. Austria wanted to Bosnian-Herzegovina to become part of there empire as they already held influence over it. so in 1908 they annexed Bosnian - Herzegovina meaning it was now a part of the Austria-Hungary empire.

Serbia didn't not agree with Austria's actions and want Bosnian to become part of Serbia. Because of this disagreement Serbia prepared for war. knowing that they would not be able to fight the Austria empire alone, as they were much more powerfuller. So Serbia called for help form Russia. 

Russia try to help Serbia by first trying to hold a conference to investigate Austria's actions, but Austria would not attend the conference and instead asked for help from Germany to support there actions. with this strong alliance with Germany which dates back to 1882. Germany told Russia to appseted the annexation and back off. Both Britain and France, Russia Allies made clear to Russia they didn't want to get involved. Russia had no option but to with draw as Russia at the time had only a small army. because Russia's withdraw, Serbia no choice but to appect the annexation of Bosnian. Russia was Humiliated and began to build the their army. This event also highlighted that the Germany would support Austria in the Balkans and stick to their alliance. 

On the 28 of June 1914 a month before the start of the WW1 and the event that evenly trigger it. Archduke Franz Ferdinand the next in heir to the throne to Austro-Hungary was assassinated. He was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip who was part of the secret Serbian nationalist group called Black Hand. There was another assassination  attempt on Franz Ferdinand that same day by Black hand, but it was unsuccessful. The successful assassination of Franz Ferdinand trigger the start of the first world war.

Franz Ferdinand. Mike. (2010). CFI Blogs. 'http://blogs.forteana.org/node/118'. 

After the Assassination, and not fearing the Russia because of recent events and any alliances, Germany promises to fully support Austria-Hungary and the action they chose to take towards Serbia. on July 23rd 1914 Austria give Serbia an ultimatum, to punish  those responsible for the assassination of Fran Ferdinand or face severe consequences and Serbia's independence will be reduced. Serbia  have 48 hours to rely, on the 25th Serbia did not did not accept terms  

On 28th July 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia marking the start of the First World War. 30th July Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany, in support of Serbia. 1st of August Germany declares war on Russia. Two days after Germany declares was on France and Germany invaded neutral Belgium. This caused Britain on 4th of August, who wanted to remain neutral and not get involved in the war, to join the war to the defence of Belgium.