Causes of World War 1 Essay | Essay on Causes of World War 1 for Students and Children in English (2024)

Causes of World War 1 Essay:First World War is one of the greatest wars that is known in the history of humankind. The War came to be known as ‘The Great War’ because of the great impact that the War had throughout the world and his significance in history.

World War 1 was the first worldwide destructive conflict that Western Civilization had faced. The War has been the focus of a numerous analysis which gave different explanations, interpretations and re-examinations of the countless causes that led to the start of the War.

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Long and Short Essays onCauses of World War 1 for Students and Kids in English

We provide the students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Causes Of World War 1 for reference.

Long Essay on Causes of World War 1 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Causes of World War 1 is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

World War 1 was a worldwide war that started in July 1914 and officially came to an end on November 11, 1918. The War had originated in Europe, and it gradually developed into a world war. Similarly known as ‘the war of all ends’, it led the mobilization of 70 million military personnel, which included 60 million Europeans making it one of the largest wars in history.

Tension among the European countries had been increased due to militarism, nationalism, imperialism and mutual defence alliances which served as major causes that led to the War.

Militarism is the trend towards developing military resources for both national defence and protection of colonial interest. As the world walked into the 20th century, a race of arms had begun. Germany, by 1914 had the greatest increase in their military build-up.

Both Great Britain and Germany increased their navies in this period. Further, in Russia and Germany, particularly the military establishment started to have a great influence on public policies. This increase in militarism pushed the countries to get involved in the War.

A major reason for the War was based on the desire of the Slavic people in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be a part of Austria Hungary but rather be a part of Siberia. This is why nationalism directly led to the War. However, in a more general way, the nationalism of various European countries contributed not only to the beginning but also the extension of the War in Europe. Each country tried their level best in proving their dominance and power.

When a country increases its power and wealth by bringing in additional territories under their control, it is known as imperialism. Africa and parts of Asia, before World War 1, were points of dispute among the European countries. This was principally true because of the raw materials that these areas provide. The desire for greater empires and increasing competition led to an increase in the conflict that helped push the world towards the Great War.

Over time, countries throughout Europe made mutual defence alliances that eventually would pull them into battle. Treaties were signed, that meant that if one country was attacked that the other countries were bound to defend the country.

The immediate cause of World War 1 was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, which other points come to play. In June of 1914, the Black Hand a Serbian-nationalist terrorist group was sent to assassinate the Archduke.

They failed at their first attempt when the driver avoided the grenade thrown at their car. However, later the same day a Serbian nationalist GavriloPrincip assassinated the Archduke and his wife while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a part of Austria Hungary. This was done in protest to Austria-Hungary having control over the region. Serbia wanted to take over Herzegovina and Bosnia.

Austria-Hungary announced war on Serbia as a result of this assassination. Russia began to mobilize its forces due to its alliance with Serbia when Germany declared war on Russia. Hence began the expansion of the War and all those countries involved in mutual defence alliances got involved.

Causes of World War 1 Essay | Essay on Causes of World War 1 for Students and Children in English (1)

Short Essay on Causes of World War 1 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Causes of World War 1 is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

The causes of World War 1, the deadliest War in the history of humanity, remain controversial. The War began in Balkans on June 28, 1914, and lasted for almost four years and finally came to an end on November 11, 1918.

The War also resulted as one of the deadliest conflicts in history with an approximate of 9 million combatant deaths 13 deaths of civilians as a direct result of the War. The main factors that led to the War were nationalism, imperialism, alliances and militarism.

By the end of the War over 17 million people would have lost their lives, and the reasons why the War had erupted is much more complex than a simple list of causes. Even though it is a chain of events that led to the fighting, the actual causes are more complicated and deeper that remains a part of continued debate and discussion.

10 Lines on Causes of World War 1 in English

  1. The main cause of World War 1 was a difference over foreign policies.
  2. World War 1 was an all-encompassing universal war that was centred in Europe but affected the whole world.
  3. World War 1 lasted for exactly four years, three months and fourteen days.
  4. One hundred thirty-five countries took part in World War 1.
  5. More than 15 million people died.
  6. It was a military conflict that lasted for four years from 1914 to 1918.
  7. There were two opposing alliances – the Central Powers and the Allies.
  8. Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, that is when World War 1 officially begun.
  9. India supported Britain as a British Colony.
  10. The First World War was also called the Trench War as it was fought from trenches.

Causes of World War 1 Essay | Essay on Causes of World War 1 for Students and Children in English (2)

FAQ’s on Causes of World War 1 Essay

Question 1.
Name the two allies of the First World War.

Answer:
The Central Powers and the Allied Powers.

Question 2.
Which countries formed the Allied Powers?

Answer:
Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Russia and the USA formed the Allied Powers.

Question 3.
Which countries formed the Central Powers?

Answer:
Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire and Turkey formed the Central Powers.

Question 4.
Why did the First World War end?

Answer:
When both the allies signed the Peace Treaty known as armistice, the First World War came to an end in November 1918.

Causes of World War 1 Essay | Essay on Causes of World War 1 for Students and Children in English (2024)

FAQs

What are the main causes of WW1 essay? ›

Six Causes of World War I
  • European Expansionism. ...
  • Serbian Nationalism. ...
  • The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand. ...
  • Conflicts over Alliances. ...
  • The Blank Check Assurance: Conspired Plans of Germany and Austria-Hungary. ...
  • Germany Millenarianism – Spirit of 1914.

What was the cause of the First World War for kids? ›

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the prince of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated by a secret society of Serbian and Bosnian people called the Black Hand. While this event sparked World War I, there were other factors that caused the war, including militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism.

What causes World War 1 simple explanation? ›

What was the main cause of World War I? World War I began after the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand by South Slav nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914.

What is the thesis of the cause of WW1? ›

Nationalism was a pervading cause of the First World War, which draws together all of the other causes: the Russian alliance with Serbia was a nationalist alliance, the nationalist belief in one's own superiority drove the militaristic arms race, and German imperial ambitions were borne out of Kaiser Willhelm's ...

What are the 4 main causes of WWI? ›

Historians point to four long-term causes of World War I: alliances, nationalism, militarism, and imperialism.

What was the cause and effect of World War I? ›

World War I was caused by factors like the fight for the economical and military hegemony between the countries in the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance, the growing militarism of Germany that threatened Great Britain and France, and the nationalism in the Balkans zone that rejected other nation's interference.

What were the effects of World War 1 on children? ›

Additionally, as the male workforce left for battle, mothers and sisters began working in factories to take their positions, and the family dynamic began to change; this affected children as they had less time to spend with family members and were expected to grow up faster and help with the war effort.

How did World War 1 affect children? ›

Volunteering: Children were expected to do their bit for the war. Many lied about their age so they could enlist, but those left behind were called on to pack clothing, knit 'trench comforts' (socks, scarves, etc.), work on farms and help at hospitals.

What are 5 interesting facts about WW1? ›

Eleven Facts you should know about World War I
  • The shot that was heard around the world. ...
  • Many actors were involved. ...
  • The United States eventually joined the war. ...
  • A deadly day. ...
  • One battle lasted 300 days. ...
  • Women fought, too. ...
  • Explosions in Ypres were heard in London. ...
  • An elephant made an appearance.
Nov 9, 2018

Why was Germany blamed for WW1? ›

Many historians agree that German aggression and militaristic policies were responsible for some of the conditions that led to war, that Germany saw itself as likely to benefit from a war, and that as the strongest military power in Europe she could have taken actions to prevent a the war.

When did WW1 start and end? ›

The First World War as it's commonly thought of from 1914 to 1918 was marked by conflict between large empires Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, but after 1918 these large nations had either broken up or withdrawn from the fighting and thus the conflicts themselves were very ...

What were the effects of the World War 1? ›

Apart from the destruction and the millions of lives lost, the war brought several consequences to the world that lasted for years. WWI provoked economic impacts like general economic crisis in the involved countries and the rise of the U.S. as the leading economic power. There were also political consequences.

Why did nationalism cause WW1? ›

Nationalism contributed to WWI by creating competition and tensions between nations, as each sought to assert their independence and power. This led to a complex web of alliances and rivalries that contributed to the outbreak of the war.

How to write a thesis statement? ›

Your Thesis:
  1. State your topic. Your topic is the essential idea of your paper. ...
  2. State your main idea about this topic. ...
  3. Give a reason that supports your main idea. ...
  4. Give another reason that supports your main idea. ...
  5. Give one more reason that supports your main idea. ...
  6. Include an opposing viewpoint to your main idea, if applicable.

Were alliances the main cause of WW1? ›

Although alliances played an important factor in the cause of the First World War, it is not the most important. The alliances had a defensive nature, this acted as a deterrent for war. Ideologies such as nationalism and militarism were far more important as a cause of the First World War.

Why did WWII start for kids? ›

Together with the Nazi Party, he wanted Germany to rule Europe. To gain more land and power, on 1 September 1939 German troops invaded Poland. After Hitler refused to stop the invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany – World War II had begun.

What caused WWII to start? ›

Adolf Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939 drove Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II. Over the next six years, the conflict took more lives and destroyed more land and property around the globe than any previous war.

Who was the youngest person to fight in WW1? ›

Momčilo Gavrić, in Serbian military from age eight; youngest soldier in World War I in any of the nations which fought in World War I. John Condon, from Waterford, Ireland: incorrectly believed to have been the youngest Allied soldier killed (age 14), but later found to have been age 18 at his death.

Who fought in WW1 and why? ›

Rival alliances

The First World War saw the Entente Powers, led by France, Russia, the British Empire, and later Italy (from 1915) and the United States (from 1917), defeat the Central Powers, led by the German, Austro-Hungarian, Bulgarian and Ottoman Empires. Russia withdrew from the war after the revolution in 1917.

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