[Mrs Faithorn]

I really think this is one where you are going to have to think very hard for yourself and to demonstrate that you have really understood all the work you have done recently. However the answer to the question you've been set is very much a matter of opinion and one that historians still argue about nearly 100 years later. [To be honest a really good answer to this question depends on a much better knowledge and understanding of the lead up to WWI than a Year 10 student is likely to have.]

However, it is a difficult question so maybe it'll help if I say/ask .....
Why do you think that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand actually led to war? (think about the alliances and the way that they then all 'fell into place)
Do you think any of the countries had actually been preparing for war for a long time? (think about the naval race and the Schlieffen Plan for example) and did that actually make war more likely?
Did any of the countries involved have plans to expand their territory? (and therefore looking for a good opportunity to do so)

If you think about it, the preparations for war, the division into two alliance groups and Germany's desire to build an Empire all helped to make war very likely and although you might say that all the countries involved could have decided not to fight under the circumstances this was hardly likely.

I hope that helps a bit. I don't know offhand of any site that looks at precisely what you want - at a level ia appropriate for you . If I come across anything I'll post again. In the meantime this page on the Causes of the First World War is helpful in that it is a good survey of what happened and careful reading of it may help you to see what I was driving at earlier in my message here.

This post has been edited by Mrs Faithorn: 01 October 2005 - 09:34 PM

[Olivia]

Hi everyone, i am so stuck about this, and i have a mini test on it in a few days,

theres something about franz ferdinand getting assasinated i know that, but there was an intermidiate reason for it aswell, about someone wanting more land, can someone help me get this?

[Mr Field]

I guess you are talking about the causes of the First World War. You need to look at some of the other recent threads in this forum - you will find lots of help and guidance.

Try doing that and then post again if you need more help.

[Mrs Faithorn]

If you are struggling to get to grips with the causes of the First World War then these links should help:
http://www.historyle...o.uk/causes.htm
http://johndclare.net/causes_WWI1.htm

... and as Mr Field says, if you then have any further specific questions do post again.

[kathy's]

The initial cause of WW1 was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. What do you think of this statement.?

[MrJohnDClare]

Try this: http://www.johndclar...causes_WWI4.htm

But bear in mind this: http://www.johndclar...WWI_Answer1.htm

[Miss Buxton]

The website links Mr Clare has given you will help you tackle this question.

What you need to do is divide your answer into firstly the Long term causes of the First World War and the short term (more immediate) cause of the First World War (which is the death of Franz Ferdinand and the consequences after his death)...........

Explain how there was a build up of tension in Europe from 1900-1914…then explain that only needed a spark/trigger which came in the form of the assassination..........then explain how the consequences (events that occurred after his death....July Crisis, ultimatum, Russia mobilisation, Schlieffen Plan, outbreak of war)

Add a conclusion


The question is asking you to debate whether or not you think that the assassination was an immediate cause of the First World War. You need to explain how and then give your overall judgement.

[Spider]

I agree with that statement, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assasinated In Serbia by Gavrillo (I belive that was the name) Princip. Dragged everyone who had an alliance with him into a war.

[mesolinababy]

what set off the first world war.

plz if you know plz help me i need help[/font]

[Mr Thorpe]

A big question!!

One that I am afraid I can't answer in a simple paragraph or sentence. Many consider the trigger event to be the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, but the whole cause malarky goes so much deeper than that. Some would take it all the way back to the unification of Germany and the alliances set up by Bismark.

However, simplistically you need to look at the two alliances in Europe pre 1914, the military arms race (particularly between Britain and Germany), the scramble for Africa and the desire to build or maintain an empire, nationalism in Europe particularly in the Balkans and the decline in power of the Ottoman Empire.

It depends what the answer is for to how deeply you cover the causes.

Try this website, by the brilliant John D Clare
This website.
Or here

The main thing is that there was no one overall cause, it was a mixture of factors. What that mix is is up to your judgement.

Or this debate on the forum might help.