Europe, which seemed to have become the most sophisticated civilization, which had prided itself on being "civilized" in contrast to the rest of the world (found largely under its tutelage), had plunged itself into the abyss of barbarity from which it were never to recover. Some had considered this to be the inevitable result of social, political, economical and cultural anxieties, the kind of corollary of the very complexity and self-confidence in which Europe wallowed. Other observers, however, were quick to note that all previous crises - in Morocco, Bosnia (1908), Balkans (1912-1913), etc - were resolved without the use of arms (albeit, as Paxton puts its, after some ritual saber-rattling). They say too that in the long-run, Great Powers might have developed an algorithm, had come up with a rule whereby all conflicts involving issues of hegemony and pride might have been settled peacefully.
What is your stance on that issue? Could the war be avoided - or was it, on the contrary, unavoidable.
What is your stance on that issue? Could the war be avoided - or was it, on the contrary, unavoidable.
Was the First World War avoidable or not? It is difficult to answer exactly.On the one hand,war was avoidable, because each of the five Great Powers could contribute to the peace- keeping.For instance,Austria- Hungary could chase serbian terrorists without declaration of war on Serbia.In European history before Sarajevo's case were numerous outbreaks,which successfully had been smoothed by Great Powers.But why did Sarajevo's assassination entail such consequences? Here we come to answer to the second part of question.The war was unavoidable, because each of the five Great Powers considered only the personal benefits in the growing crisis.The desire for power was higher and stronger than the preservation of peace on the European continent.People were ready to achieve national interests at any cost,even through the cost of war,The whole Europe was saturated by spirit of ''selfishness''. In this sense,the First World War was inevitable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that is complicated to give an answer to the above-mentioned question. Was the First World War avoidable or not? Most likely to answer Yes and No. Yes, because each of the Great Powers, could behave in this conflict differently than it did. Each country by own way could contribute to the maintenance of peace. But, as we know, none of these Great Powers hadn't d done it. Therefore, I can suppose that the First World War was not avoidable. Maybe it seems to be typical and trivial, but nevertheless-France would never have peace with the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, England never would have put up with the idea that Germany Navy can be equal to the Royal Navy, and Germany didn't want to limit the Navy construction. Balkans would fill of the Austro-Hungary (and reinforces these of real actions), and Russia did not want to tolerate it.
DeleteHere, I would like to add that all the events of that period were as much as a reflection of a certain mindset of society. The achievement of their national interests, even if they had to pay for the war, was significantly higher than world peace. To this extent, the First World War was Ineluctable.
First foreboding of the great war in Europe probably appeared immediately after France's defeat in the war with Germany of Bismarck (1871). It was obvious that France will not accept a national disgrace, with the loss of territories.In June 28, 1914 Gavrilo Princip, a nineteen old Bosnian Serb student and a member of the Serbian nationalist terrorist organization ''Mlada Bosna'', killed the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia Hotek in Sarajevo. Austrian and German ruling circles decided to use this incident as a pretext for beginning the war in Europe. On the 5th July Germany promised Austria-Hungary to support him in case of conflict with Serbia. On the 28th of July Austria-Hungary Declares war on Serbia. Russian czar Nicholas II writes a letter to German kaiser in which he tells '' in the name of an old friendship prevent its ally go too far in ignoble war against weak country( Serbia)'' He received the answer that murderers should be punished anyways.On the 1st August Germany declares war on Russia.
ReplyDeleteThere were two big unions: Antanta( Russia, France, England) and the union of three( Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy). Also there were three main great powers: Germany, England, Russia.
England was afraid of Germany`s rapid development in technique, organization, commercial energy. The aim of England was to rob and destroy its rival and there were no other ways to achieve the goal, but to fight against Germany.
As for German capitalists, they saw themselves as having a ''sacred'' bougeois right for the world. Also Germany wanted to have Balkan countries and Turkey as colonies. Russia tried to weaken Germany and Austria-Hungary. Its aim was to take control over the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, which belonged to Turkey.
From my point of view, the first world war was ineluctable. Each country had their own goals and each of them were in need of war. Anyways, all of them wanted to increase their territory and rule more colonies. As a result, four empires stopped to exist: Russia, Austro-Hungary, Ottoman and German.
Essentialy, all of the major European powers were interested in the beginning of the war, seeing no other way to resolve the accumulated contradictions. Imperial Germany provoked the war, because of the increasing its naval forces in the 10-year period before 1914, it challenged the dominance of the UK Maritime and its diplomatic strategy was the humiliation of France and Russia, to show them that they are too weak to unite against Germany. Undoubtedly, the First World War could not be avoidable. Why? All wanted a war. Likewise, none of them predicted and expected war to be something that later on it would be inevidable. Regarding to Thomas Woodrow Wilson : everyone is looking for and can not find the reason why the war started. The futile reason that they can not find. War did not start for any one reason, the war began for all the reasons immediately.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, it is generally accepted that the occasion of First World War was the assassination of the Austrian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo and his wife on 28 June , 1914. It is believed that this incident gave rise to the beginning of the First World War.
Overall, the First World War was inevitable. Each state: Germany , France, Britain, Russia wanted a war. Thereby, they got it.
My answer will be a little bit paradoxical, because war could be avoidable. Actually if we say that the war has started due to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian nationalist, it can’t be the only reason. We can say that assassination was something like a push to the war, and also British Empire wanted a hegemony. Of course, all of the countries of Great Powers rivaled with each other to be the best and to be the one. It would be possible avoid the war, if these 5 countries did try to save a piece in the world and if they weren’t interested in a war, especially British Empire. As an example, Austro-Hungarian could just to pursue Serbians, it wasn’t necessary to attack them. Also the Russians were not said to support Serbia, and so on. But Great Powers didn’t do what they could. So that’s why the war couldn’t be avoided. Every Power expected to be the ruler, and were interested in their own interest and benefit. Race for power was more significant than the piece between them.
ReplyDeleteI believe it wouldn’t be a mistake to tell the First world war was unavoidable.It is undoubtedly, that first world war was best bitterest and bloodiest war. And even Great Powers unexpected it. But almost European Empires all wanted Power, independent and not only . That’s why they become contend to each other. As Lenin said: The Highest Stage of Capitalism (1917), for example, argued that as capitalism ripened into monopoly, profits would decline. Therefore, European monopolies would seek higher rates of yield outside their own countries in a worldwide race for profits that was bound to lead to war. Its obvious that nationalism ,imperialism, arms race were the causes of the war. Moreover, imperialist rivalry among capitalist powers and increasing class conflict within capitalist societies made war an attractive choice for European leaders. To add, the death of Franz Ferdinand and his wife …. For example, Russians help Bulgarian wars for independence(1875-1878) started the conflict between Austro-Hungary on Balkans. And which Anara said on her last example all was enough to spark for World War broke out.
ReplyDeleteI was always told that history does not tolerate the word "if" , but still if we think about this question very carefully, I still think that this war could not be avoided, since, in this war, each of the European countries were interested in their own way: England felt threatened Germany on their colonial power; France could not live quietly, seeing"their" land under the authority of the Germans. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - is not the reason of the First World War, but only a small occasion. And not very good , but no matter helped to Germany to start the big world war!
ReplyDeleteOf course war could be avoidable. Firstly, Serbia could have prevented this war. If Serbia abandon its passionate idea of "the kingdom of the South Slavs" under the authority of the Serbian king, if Serbia didn`t create terrorist organizations , if Serbia didn`t achieve support of Russia, then it would eliminate the threat to the territorial integrity of Austria-Hungary. Consequently Austria-Hungary would deprive the Austro-Hungarian bases and desire to unleash a war against Serbia. I think Germany alone definitely wouldn`t risk to start war against Russia, France, and the UK, because start war even alone or even in alliance with Austria Hungary would be like suicide to Germany!
ReplyDeleteAnd secondly, Russia also could prevented this war. Russia could publicly abandoning the idea of Pan-Slavism. Eventually eliminate the threat of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Also Russia could abandoning to support of local hegemon and state terrorism of Serbia and convince the Serbs to abandon this idea.
As for France,Germany and Austro-Hungary,I think these countries were a hostageof the situation. France was forced to support the pan-Slavist ambitions of Russia and abundantly finance strengthening military and economic might of the Russian Empire.Germany and Austria-Hungary had one option how to proceed in this situation: prepare and unleash preventive war.
Was the First World War inevitable? This is a question which still occupies the thoughts of human being, because they had never been given a definite answer. Personally, I believe that the war could have been avoided, if Great Power didn’t chase their own aims with such a fury and passion. I wonder if they knew that snowball would turn into an avalanche. Would they have gone with other way?! Probably we will never know the answer. However, France could have forgotten about having Germany’s revenge for their defeat in the Franco- Prussian War in 1870 and did not try so hardly to keep colonies in Africa (considering the fact what kind of land that was). And England deserves no praise either! They could not watch how Germany takes possession of the territories they considered as their ( East and South- West Africa)! Austria-Hungary could limit themselves in prosecution of Serbian terrorists without having to attack Serbia. Germany could do well without guarantees of full support from Austro-Hungary. Ah! if, if, if, if! If ifs and ans were pots and pans!
ReplyDeleteAt the begining of XX century Germany tried, and wanted to be #1 continential superpower, Eangland didn't want another sea power as Germany. Austira-Hungary had it's own conflict with Serbia. Russia wanted her lost superpower back. All these aforemenioned were reasons why did World War arise. I don't think the assassination of arkchduke Ferdinant was the reason of begining of war. If he hadn't been murdered, another incident would have provoked the war. Despite all these countries wanted to fight and were looking for war, they didn't expect that this war will turn into bitterest, bloodiest and costiest war. That is why I claim that the first world war was unavoidable.
ReplyDeleteEven a cursory acquaintance with the history of the First World War, considered the socio-economic background of the war, territorial disputes between the major powers, insatiable policy of leading countries, competition in the industrial development is already possible to conclude that somehow the war was inevitable. In the chronology of events that led to the climax of the war, there were so many moments when it was quite possible to resolve differences peacefully. Attempt at Astro-Hungarian heir could have not take place, Serbia warned Astro-Hungary on the possibility to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but in Vienna did not pay attention to this warning. If official Belgrade condemned the murder and expressed his condolences to the Austrian court, if Germany listened to the proposal of Nicholas 2nd solved peacefully this incident (Hague Conventions), if Russia agreed to the waiver of mobilization proposed by Germany, maybe it would not have started the war, but only at that time and in that place. Global tension in world politics which accumulated several decades, would still make it into the form of a military conflict, if not here and not now, in those or other circumstances. French people longed for some revenge after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the people of Great Britain believed that Germany takes away their land in Africa, the Russian people have longed for union with all the Slavic peoples and saw himself as a defender of those peoples, the Balkan peoples craved for unity among themselves, the Polish people longed to return their land and form a nation-state, Astro-Hungary was a multinational empire and all the time there were inter-ethnic conflicts, and Germany being very developed challenged Britain, France and Russia to show how strong she is. All nations were ready for war. Founder of the school of social psychology Gustave Le Bon wrote: "Yes, Germany has added the last straw that broke over the edge. However, for objective researcher main issue lies in the fact who filled the cup to the brim, making war inevitable."
ReplyDeleteI think that the war was unavoidable, because each country of the Great Powers seek to be above the other countries and nations. By then these countries had captured almost the entire world, and they realized that the next obstacle on their way to get the full power are the other countries in Europe. They wanted to be stronger than others in order to show their superiority. Despite the fact, that they had alliances, they all chased different aims. This is the essence of man, we all strive to be the best. I believe that the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Bosnian serb Gavrilo Princip was merely a pretext or trigger, but not the main reason. In other words, if the murder was not take a place on 28 June, 1914, war still would be accomplished, but under the pretense of another reason or occasion. Based on their own experience or on the experience of other countries, European countries found out that self- restraint can lead to humiliation. The honor of the nation- was the main thing and they had to protect it.
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view, World War I was unavoidable. It was generated by imperialist relations between the great powers. The long before the war, there was a growth of contradictions between the five major European countries. All these contradictions were arisen because of the struggle for the colonies and small countries. Also, these five powers waged an economic and trade war between each other. And I am inclined to believe that these major powers were interested in this war, because there was no other way to solve their contradictions that were arisen. German Empire was being become stronger and stronger economically and politically, and so they wanted to get as much land as it was possible. However, other great countries did not want to concede to Germany, and continued to expand their territories and develop their economies. Also, there were some plenty of conflicts in Austria- Hungary and Serbia. To sum up, I would like to say that the war was unavoidable, and all these conflicts, contradictions, and struggles that was occurred caused the outbreak of the war.
ReplyDeleteI think that to avoid this War was impossible. This was a "fee" for the better future world. If there wasn't these was, it would be another, may be, more cruel.
ReplyDeleteAs for the the historical situation at the beginning of the 20th century, that there were many reasons for the war. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was only a reason. War would not happened, if England didn't promise Germany to remain neutral before the outbreak of the war. But England acted in their own interests, and could not act otherwise. If the German government would be more perspicacious, it would have realized that England will not be able to remain aloof. However, Germany would like to acquire new land.
In my point of view, The First World War was an avoidable, because people wanted it. The First World War became one bloody and large-scale conflicts in history. It was happened from 1914 to 1918. In this War 38 states participated . This conflict provoked serious economic contradictions prevailing in the early 20th century. Just worth noting that probably there was a possibility of peaceful settlement of these conflicts . However, feeling increased power, Germany and Austria- Hungary moved to more decisive action.
ReplyDeleteOne of the causes of war was the 28 June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo. This set off a diplomatic crisis when Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Serbia,and international alliances formed over the previous decades were invoked. Within weeks, the major powers were at war and the conflict soon spread around the world.
In conclusion,Europe wanted this War. They had disagreements with each country. England worried that they can lose their colonies. France also terrified because of this fact. Germany wanted to be "the King" of the world.Russians wanted to be in the head of slavic countries. So,"The Great War' was an avoidable.
Was the Great War avoidable or inevitable?
ReplyDeleteIt could be avoidable. I mean if they wanted to avoid it.
But, "You want a war? You've got a war."
Great Powers wanted a war: Germany in order to eliminate the hegemony of Great Britain on the seas, to acquire new colonies, in which they "very needed"; Austria sought to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina; Britain wanted to hold their status quo; France in order to regain his native province; Russia to show their recover from defeat of Japan.
That is why they used the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand (so tragic for Austro-Hungarians, but so negligible for others) as reason of war.
However, maybe I think so, because I read it in books. Maybe if I was there in that time, I thought in other way as people who unleashed this war (I don't know who was it). But now I think that the First World War could be avoidable. Because you can avoid everything, especially, if you know what you are going to.
In my opinion, war was ineluctable and unavoidable. There were too many countries which were interested at it, because war is a great opportunity to force country's economy working and allocating money to military mobilization. Of course Germany was one of the main dissatisfied country, which did not have time to became a metropolis and was late to divide world with Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium and etc. Germany wanted redistribution from other European countries but it was very difficult. That is why war was a good chance for Germany and Austria-Hungary to "take their place in the sun". Therefore, it was impossible to avoid this war, may be to postpone for several years, but not to avoid. All the more so Franz Ferdinand's assassination was a really good reason to begin it.
ReplyDeleteThe World War was unavoidable in the long-run. The war between countries appears in connection with individual personalities, diplomatic relationships, leaders of Great Powers. Calamity, class conflict, internal dissent made society different, which was gain for European leaders. In other words, the actions and decisions of society were goaded by individual personalities. Even nowadays we could recognize such strategic gains. The German leaders showed an example of political maneuver by making simultaneous ultimatum to France,. Another example, the most careful secrecy between two foreign ministers of Russia and Austro-Hungarian Empire is the obvious proof of political interest in the War. By taking into consideration all the alliance system, negotiations between Great Powers, we have solid argument that each country pursued their own goals. Therefore, individual personalities more concerned in the war than people.
ReplyDeleteAs it mentioned earlier this question is complex and ambiguous. Was the Great War avoidable or inevitable? I think it was inevitable. Most of countries thought that they are ready for war and it will be easy. I think that most of them planned that I would take few time as you said: “They wanted war!”. By my mind they so much thought about war, they so much planned it that even if Firdinand’s death had not had happened they would have found some other reason for War. All countries see only profits from war and nobody considered losses. It was main problem. Every country wanted some lands and resources, so none of the major powers could not stay away.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the all opinions which were presented before me, I am inclined to believe that majority of students consider that War was inevitable, as me. Why I think so? First of all, during long time there was not such good shaking, rousing. I mean, all fights which were occurred several decades before the First World War were not so much serious and long. (Russo-Japanese War , Italo-Turkish War, First Balkan War). Because of this, some countries waited real industrial events. They need it. The second reason why I think so is that almost every county which participate in war was ready to begin war. We can mention it from attempt of Austria-Hungary to find reason in order to start a War. In this occasion Sarajevo assassination played an important role.
ReplyDeleteActually war couldn't be avoided, because as we know the reason was death of Austro-Hungarian archduke Franz Ferdinand by serbians. Germany used this situation and under covered help of Austro-Hungary they begin 1st world war, I guess main reasons were land, minerals and resources. USSR should defend interests of Serbia because they had union pact. Probably they could avoid it, but anyway Germany wanted find reason of war
ReplyDeleteI think that there is nothing inevitable. Unlike World War II, which is really inevitable, the First World could have been avoided. The only thing that was unavoidable - this rivalry, but then the representatives did not know what the consequences after the war. In my opinion, the war could have been avoided, but unfortunately she brought a big problem and has become a great misfortune.
ReplyDelete