What were the causes of WW1 and WW2?
Answers
International public opinion was on the side of Vienna. In 1903 Serbian officers had murdered their own king and this attack was seen as one of the so many examples of so-called ‘Serbian mentality’. Even Russia, traditionally an ally of Serbia condemned the assassination.
The culprits were arrested and were to stand trial, Austria-Hungary didn’t react and internationally Serbia lost face. The assassination appeared to end with a fizzle.
This apparent calm was a deception. The so-called ‘War party’ of Foreign Affairs Minister Leopold Berchtold, Chief Commander Conrad von Hötzendorf and Minister for War Alexander von Krobatin, hoped that by creating a foreign enemy they would be able to prevent internal division in the empire. They were assured of German support (the so-called ‘blank cheque’). Above all this would be a blow to nationalistic feelings of those Serbians in the Austro-Hungarian empire. It was hoped that Austria-Hungary could defeat Serbia in a quick, easy to win war. The hope was that with the German guarantee as well as international antipathy for the Serbians, other countries would not become involved. But first a war would have to be provoked.
It wasn’t until 23 July that Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia, the so-called ‘July Ultimatum’. The ultimatum contained several points, one of these was that the Austrian officers investigating the assassination were given permission to enter Serbian territory. If Serbia refused then war would be declared. Only this last point was refused and in the meantime the world heaved a sigh of relief because Serbia had only refused to comply with one point.
However Austria-Hungary was not satisfied and because they wanted to humiliate Serbia in a war, refused to accept this refusal. Supported by Germany they declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. World War One had begun.
WW1:
The murder of archduke Franz Ferdinand (28th June 1914 ) by Gavrilo Princip .
WW2:
Adolf Hitler's plan of making Germany rule the world .