Dbq World War 1 Analysis

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WWI and Why? In the early 1900’s disorderly mayhem broke out worldwide, a war that would come to take 20 million lives. This war is known as World War I. Many nations formed alliances to better conquer their enemies. Germany, Austria-hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance while Russia, France and the UK came together as the Triple Entente. On June 28th, 1914, one month after Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, a declaration of war was constructed, thus beginning the 4 year war. Many became exhausted with devastation as the competing nations fought to increase their wealth and power across the world. Of course, many factors played a role in the initiating WWI, but the formation of Alliances, a build-up of arms, and imperialism throughout are three underlying causes that prevail. As the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente declared war on one another, surrounding nations joined the bloodshed. Some entered as neutral fighters while others selected a side to acquire strength. The formation of trust and assurance that nations provided for their allies during the war caused conflict with surrounding countries therefore spreading violence throughout Europe. A map on Document A of the European alliances in 1914 shows the separation of multiple …show more content…
As one nation expanded their military it prompted a growth in armaments in all of the opposing countries to better their survival. In Bernhard Von Bulow’s speech The Hammer or The Anvil on December 11, 1899, he stated, “We don’t ever want to become the ‘slaves of humanity’... In the coming century the German people will be a hammer or an anvil.” This quote addresses the idea of being in power or being under the power of someone else. The hammer is said to represent the superior being to the anvil (Bulow). Thus presenting a large conflict in WWI, known as the arms