Describe the causes of the First World War?

Question

Describe the causes of the First World War. How did the treaty structure in place in Europe before 1914 contribute to the outbreak of the conflict? What were some of the other factors?

Can someone help me with this question please?

Answer 1

The Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey and co defense treaties.  The heir to the throne of A-H  was assainated while inspecting a province of the A-H Empire that is now part of Serbia.  This resulted in occupation of Serbia by the A-H military and then the military alliance who supported the adjoining nations reacted with troops. This escalated to Germany attacking Russia ans Belgium and France in a series of actions. These actions then brought Great Britain to the aid of France and her allies. The US was  then drawn in to the conflict through German submarine action against the Lusitania. Several prominent Americans were aboard when the ship was torpedoed, this then enraged the US population to the point where war was declared against the Central Powers.  This is just one set of opinions, verify all facts with an Encyclopedia at the Library near you.

Answer 2

There are many answers to this question.  They include general ones like "Imperialism" (conflicts over colonies between the powers), an "arms race" (especially between England and Germany for battleships), and the "alliance system" ("secret" treaties involving the "Triple Alliance" and the "Triple Entente").

Then there are the more specific ones like the French desire for "revenge" against Germany for the humiliating defeat of 1870, or the Austrian desire to crush Serbia.

But you need the real one.  That's right, The One!  The CAUSE of the Great War was German aggression!  (They got it right at Versailles.)  In 1914 Germany was dissatisfied with her place in the world order of nations and resolved to change that order by force of arms.

For a generation after the formation of the German Empire the Germans toasted "Der Tag" (the day) when they would go to war with England.  They knew that they would have to defeat England to become a world power, just as they had to defeat France to become a European power.

And time was of the essence!  Germany feared the growing power of Russia and the declining power of her ally Austria.  So when Russia mobilized to scare Austria, Von Moltke told the Kaiser that Germany MUST follow The Plan (the Schlieffen Plan) and attack France through Belgium.

Answer 3

Alliances were one of the most important causes of the war.

The Serbian leader was assassinated by a group of radicals. Russia supported those who supported the former regime while Germany supported the radicals. France supported Russia. Then, Germany wanted Britain to be its ally but Britain wanted to be out of unnecessary conflicts so Germany invaded Britain and Britain became a part of this war. The Ottomans supported the Germans. America did not become involved for a couple of years after a vessel sank in the sea and several American sailors died and this brought America into WWI.