How Did World War 1 Have Alliances

The First World War began in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand and his wife on 28th June 1914 by the Bosnian revolutionary, Gavrilo Princip. This event started the outbreak of hatred and conflict between the Allied Forces and the Central Powers in addition to the different factors causing the start of World War One. Before the war started, many alliances were made between different countries to ensure that they felt protected and were safe from the threat of war but this led to major armament, land expansion and large country morale. The countries were very confident in the lead up to the Great War and people were strong that their country would win or be victorious during an attack or defense as the countries

Each of the countries were trying to gain as many ‘friends’ to have the most land and the biggest army but having the ability to do that was key in having a chance in the unexpected war. In order to do that, you would’ve needed a high economy with lots of money, resources and have the power to trade and expand. Germany and Austria-Hungary were right in the middle of Europe which gave them the chance for high trade routes and a constant income, “Germany is a young and growing empire. She has a worldwide commerce which is rapidly expanding…” (Kaiser Whilhelm II). Austria Hungary took advantage of imperialism and used it to her advantage as she has a deal with Turkey, “In other words, she used Imperialism (the right of empires to rule weaker areas) to justify her case” (modern school textbook). Although much occurred of imperialism it did not cause World War One but it definitely created tension in expanding and having power in the lead

With the different alliances and country land mass and resources, there was no slowing down of troops and heavy armor between the Allied Forces and the Central Powers. Germany was building a strong naval fleet of 24 ships, increasing troop size to 170,000 as well as Britain advancing technology with the new Dreadnought ship and had strategic and advanced ways of war on land. Tension was very high and the onset of war became more of a reality, “I therefore have been obliged to mobilise my army… I must request you to immediately order your troops on no account to commit the slightest act of trespassing over our frontiers” (Germany to Russia). The modernity of the Allied Forces military was not only an advantage but the pure size of these machines could potentially determine the faith of any country. All of this was because of the alliances, nationalism and imperialism because the countries were pushed and forced into doing these things but this did not stop the war bill from coming down, “Instead of a few hundreds of thousands of men meeting each other in war, millions would now meet – and modern weapons would multiply manifold the power of destruction. The financial strain and the expenditure of wealth would be incredible” (Sir Edward Grey). Militarism was caused due to the tension of the Allied Forces and the Central Powers