World War I

DBQ Essay

World War I was the result of leaders' aggression towards other countries which was supported by the rising nationalism of the European nations. Economic and imperial competition and fear of war prompted military alliances and an arms race, which further escalated the tension contributing to the outbreak of war. One cause of the World War was militarism, which is a policy in which military preparedness is of primary significance to a situation. Another cause of the World War was nationalism. Nationalism is the pride and devotion form one towards his/her country. It played a great part in the causes of World War 1 because citizens wanted to stand up for their country, and fight for them. The third main cause of the war was the alliance systems, which is a friendly relationship, usually agreed by a treaty. The fourth, and final main cause of the war was called the Imperialism Rivalries, which is the competition between countries and their governments. By using one of the four main causes, it helped countries declare victory, and to decide who they would rather bide with, or oppose.

During World War 1, many countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain (England), Russia, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, and the Baltic States, were involved with the source of tension, “too much hatred, jealousy… all that is a spark to set the whole thing off.” Countries like the Untied Kingdom, France, Russia, Serbia, Turkey (sometimes), The United States, and Italy all were accounted for the treaty for the Allies. Countries like Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria were all a part of the Central Powers, which fought with the Allies. With fighting and war, it made the expenditures raise at an extremely rapid pace for all consumers in these countries. Great Britain, Germany, and France all have the most intense growth in prices. If these three countries want to have a superior navy and army, then they are going to have to have much expenditure towards this accomplishment. Great Britain has had a $4.69 increase (from year 1870 $3.74 to year 1914 - $8.23) for military and weapon purposes. For using this towards militarism, that is a cause of the World War. These increases of money prices have raised the chance of war because if people pay around you, you can advance in building your better army. (Document 1) All European Countries are responsible for the outbreak of World War 1 because all of these countries did things to lead up to war, but “failed to do certain thinks which might have prevented [the war]”. They think that every military group is the cause of the whole beginning of the war (Document 6).

Every country that was included in World War 1 used nationalism to get them pumped for war. “… Germany and its people, who were convinced that they fought a war of defense, were only guilty.” (Document 5) Nationalism also posed a problem for Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups. It made them battle because they are so close, yet next to each other on a map. Nationalism also sparked the devoted Pan Slavism of Serbia and Russia's willingness to support its Slavic brother conflicted