The Great War Of World War I - 2218 Words

Even though ‘The Great War’ ended over 100 years ago, people are still arguing about how it all started. Beginning in 1914, and involving over 30 countries, World War One was the first major war to impact the world. Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Serbia could all be considered factors that helped rise World War One. Before the war, countries faced many internal and external conflicts, leading to rising tensions and concern across Europe, and later the world. Out of the many nations who participated in the war, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Serbia seem to have contributed the most to the start of World War One. Whether it was an assassination, irrational demands, or inane ideas, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Serbia were the most†¦show more content†¦This idea, known as social Darwinism, in Austria-Hungary perhaps further strengthened the want by various ethnic groups to leave Austria-Hungary. Additionally, a group which the Austro-Hungarians controlled wer e the Serbs, who were placed under their control after the Bosnian crisis of 1908. In the Bosnian crisis, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, against the approval of Serbia(Bosnian crisis of 1908†). Because Austria-Hungary didn’t have the approval of the Serbians, the connection between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was broken. Serbia was connected to Bosnia and Herzegovina because the countries had ethnic and geographic similarities. It seems likely that these connections limited the conflicts between Serbia and Bosnia, lowering the tension in the Balkan region. However, the annexation by Austria-Hungary created a barrier between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia because the Serbians already had previous hatred for Austria-Hungary. This separation angered Serbia to an extent where Serbia demanded a portion of the annexed land be given to them. Austria declined, and soon after threatened to invade Serbia if they continued with their demands. The threats by Austria-Hungary suggest that they had no fear of creating conflict with Serbia, and would rather anger Serbia than help them. In addition, the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina had previously proved economically prosperous for