Most Significant Cause of World War I
Beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century, nationalist ideas spread throughout Europe. Many countries, like Germany and Italy, were able to unify and develop a strong sense of national unity and identity. As nationalism increased, the relationships between different European countries continued to strain until war was upon the continent. While various forms of nationalism played a role in the start of World War I, other factors had a more significant effect. The increase in industrialized nations’ imperial tendencies and the rising problems in the Balkans were the most important causes of the war, as they led to a myriad of tensions throughout Europe and, later, the world.
Imperialism became
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European powers, specifically Russia and Austria-Hungary, began to see the Balkans as valuable potential territory. The interests of the two nations, however, did not match up and “had become a great source of tension in Europe” (Sulva). Russia especially wanted to seize control of the Balkans in order to gain total access to the Bosphorus Strait and increase their trading circuit. Austria-Hungary wanted to become a dominant force in the Balkans in order to gain control of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Having two major powers attempt to carve out their own spheres in the Balkans only increased the tensions that led to the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand. The results of the Treaty of Bucharest also created unwanted upset within the Balkans. As a result of “[launching] a surprise attack on its former...allies” (Llewellyn), Bulgaria was penalised by the terms of the treaty. This left the nation bitter and upset with the neighboring Balkan countries. Serbia, on the other hand, benefited greatly from this treaty, as the “nation almost doubled in size with the acquisition of Kosovo and parts of Macedonia and Albania” (Llewellyn). With the influences of other European powers and tensions that occured between the states themselves, it is clear to see that the problems that occurred in the Balkans had a significant effect on the start of World War I. The region