Why austria hungary was to blame for ww1

Johnson also said that he would order additional increases if necessary. He pointed out that to fill the increase in military manpower On July 28, , President John F. In , after graduating from George Washington University, Jackie toured Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox.

The freak accident was caused by heavy fog. Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. European History Get Full Access Now. See related essays.

This plan was called the Schlieffen plan. During the planning for the Schlieffen plan Germany had been building up her army and navy.

By the time they attacked Belgium, Germany had a big enough army to fight a war. This scared the other countries as Germany was ready for war should it break out and the other countries were not. It needed America to back it up in stature and legitimacy, and it also needed an army so its decisions could be taken seriously by other countries. Because the League of Nations lacked these two features Hitler played on its weaknesses and thought of it as a type of joke. Britain had a vast colonial empire, particularly in Africa.

There was no land left for taking, so Germany would have to take them off of other countries. The German leaders were worried because of the positioning of the two powers in the Triple Alliance. From the British especially, Winston Churchill and General Sir Ian Hamilton must be held guilty for this loss of life, as it was they that commanded the entire attack.

However, some of the blame must be placed upon the Australian, New Zealand and French officers, as it was they who commanded various failed attacks. When looking closer at both sources, part of source I photographs are actually training grounds in Britain so it wasn't actually the real thing or experience whereas the source H description is true and from a real experience. Those suffering from Typhoid suffered a similar doomed fate.

The unlucky victim would encounter high temperature, severe headaches and they would eventually lose the ability to eat or drink, leaving them to die dehydrated. In addition to that, Trench fever and trench foot came from the place where soldiers lived in while serving on the frontline.

This meant you could lead a joint attack with the combined number of legions of both countries. The two countries are united against the one. Such was the power of an alliance. Want to read the rest? Sign up to view the whole essay and download the PDF for anytime access on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Get Full Access Now or Learn more.

Don't have an account yet? Create one now! Already have an account? Both governments knew it was almost certain that Russia would come to Serbia's aid and this would turn a local war into a European one, but they were willing to take this risk. Germany's guarantee made it possible for Vienna to proceed with its plans - a "no" from Berlin would have stopped the crisis in its tracks.

With some delay Vienna presented an ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July which was deliberately unacceptable. This was because Austria-Hungary was bent on a war and Germany encouraged it because the opportunity seemed perfect. Victory still seemed possible whereas in a few years' time Russia and France would have become invincible. Out of a mixture of desperation and over-confidence the decision-makers of Austria-Hungary and Germany unleashed a war to preserve and expand their empires.

The war that ensued would be their downfall. It is human nature to seek simple, satisfying answers, which is why the German war guilt thesis endures today.

Without Berlin's encouragement of a strong Austro-Hungarian line against Serbia after Sarajevo - the "blank cheque" - WW1 would clearly not have broken out. So Germany does bear responsibility. But it is equally true that absent a terrorist plot launched in Belgrade the Germans and Austrians would not have faced this terrible choice. Civilian leaders in both Berlin and Vienna tried to "localise" conflict in the Balkans.

It was Russia's decision - after Petersburg received its own "blank cheque" from Paris - to Europeanise the Austro-Serbian showdown which produced first a European and then - following Britain's entry - world conflagration. Russia, not Germany, mobilised first. Still, none of the powers can escape blame. All five Great Power belligerents, along with Serbia, unleashed Armageddon. The war was started by the leaders of Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Vienna seized the opportunity presented by the assassination of the archduke to attempt to destroy its Balkan rival Serbia. This was done in the full knowledge that Serbia's protector Russia was unlikely to stand by and this might lead to a general European war. Germany gave Austria unconditional support in its actions, again fully aware of the likely consequences.

Germany sought to break up the French-Russian alliance and was fully prepared to take the risk that this would bring about a major war. Some in the German elite welcomed the prospect of beginning an expansionist war of conquest. The response of Russia, France and later Britain were reactive and defensive. The best that can be said of German and Austrian leaders in the July crisis is that they took criminal risks with world peace. In my opinion, it is the political and diplomatic decision-makers in Germany and Austria-Hungary who must carry the burden of responsibility for expanding a localised Balkan conflict into a European and, eventually, global war.

Germany, suffering from something of a "younger child" complex in the family of European empires, saw an opportunity to reconfigure the balance of power in their favour via an aggressive war of conquest.

On 5 July it issued the "blank cheque" of unconditional support to the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire trying to reassert its dominance over the rebellious Serbia , despite the likelihood of this sparking war with Russia, an ally of France and Great Britain.

However, Austria-Hungary's actions should not be ignored. The ultimatum it issued to Serbia on 23 July was composed in such a way that its possibility of being accepted was near impossible. The largest share of responsibility lies with the German government.

Germany's rulers made possible a Balkan war by urging Austria-Hungary to invade Serbia, well understanding that such a conflict might escalate. Without German backing it is unlikely that Austria-Hungary would have acted so drastically.

They also started wider European hostilities by sending ultimata to Russia and France, and by declaring war when those ultimata were rejected - indeed fabricating a pretext that French aircraft had bombed Nuremberg.