World War I 1914-1918

Introduction to World War I


The assassination by pro-Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip on 28 June 1914 of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria sparked the anger of Austria-Hungarians who argued that the Serbian government was involved.

Austria-Hungary issued Serbia an ultimatum in which they demanded the assassins be brought to justice effectively. Serbia rejected the severe terms on 23 July, causing Austria-Hungary to declare war against Serbia. Russia mobilised on 30 July because it had a mutual defence alliance with Serbia, triggering Germany which had a defence alliance with Austria-Hungary, to send an ultimatum to Russia and France on 31 July. On 1 August Germany declared war against Russia and France, thus France mobilised.


On 3 August, Germany invaded Belgium pulling Britain into the war as Britain, France and Belgium had a defence alliance. By 1914, Europe had divided into two camps, The Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary and The Triple Entente: Britain, France and Russia.


A total of 331 781 Australians fought in the Great War, 64.58% of them being casualties.

Causes of The Great War


Imperism

· Desire and competition amongst European countries for greater empires
· Rise of industrialism causing countries that provided raw materials to need additional territories
· Status, power and wealth

Militarism
 

· 20th century- countries building military forces, arms and battleships
· 1914 Germany -greatest increase in military build up
· Germany and Britain- navies greatly increased

Nationalism

· Desire of Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be part of Serbia instead of Austria Hungary

· Trying to prove dominance and power

 

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http://americanhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/World_War_I.htm http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-43_t-50_c-148/soldiers/nsw/soldiers/australia-between-the-wars-1920s/australians-between-the-wars-1920s