All the major European powers are to blame for World War 1. No single country is to receive all the blame, as all the European powers had done something to influence the war. Here is a list of what each country did and how it affected the start of the war:
Austria: Austria was the first country to declare war, as a result of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. By declaring war on Serbia, Russia was soon involved, as so was France. This escalated into eventually many European countries being at war.
Germany: Germany convinced Austria to start war with Serbia. Also, Germany provided Austria with money to help fuel their military needs.
Russia: Russia was the first country to mobilize. By mobilizing, Germany was forced to attack France knowing that they soon would be attacked by Russia. This was because Russia was Serbia's ally, and Germany was Austria's ally.
France: France helped fund Russia into building a railroad along the German border. This was another reason that Germany had to attack France, knowing that France would continue to fund Russia if they didn't stop it.
Britain: Britain could have prevented the war by doing one of two things. Britain could have announced it would remain neutral. This would have prevented other countries from attacking one another, knowing that Britain would probably aid who is attacked. Britain could have also delared which side of the war it was on. This could also have prevented countries from attacking.
World War 1 was caused by numerous events, and each country played a role into starting the war. This is why all the European powers are to blame for World War 1.
Sources:
Austria: http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/balkan_causes.htm
Germany: Source A
Russia: Source J and http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1914.html
France: Source J
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_France_want_revenge_on_Germany#slide=6&article=Why_did_France_want_revenge_on_GermanyBritain: Source H
-Alexander Rodrigues
Personally, I believe that Germany is to blame for World War 1. Germany convinced Austria-Hungary to start war with Serbia. This proved to be the first act of war, and this event dragged many countries into the war, as they were either allies with either Austria or Serbia. Aside from convincing Austria to start war, Germany also expanded the war into different countries. When Russia mobilized it's army, Germany attacked France through Belgium. There was no clear indication whether or not Russia was going to attack Germany, but Germany still decided to attack France. So, because Germany convinced Austria to start war and because Germany expanded the war into France, I blame Germany for World War 1.
I believe that everyone is to blame for the war, but mostly Germany. Germany created the most conflicts and disrupted everyone. While most other countries were just being allies and backing each other up. Every country made mistakes which contributed to the war. They were all greedy for land and power. There was no point to the war other than that, and also not much was accomplished from the entire war itself. If everyone kept to themselves and just let Austria and Serbia figure out the solution to their problem, it could have been possible to avoid a war.
Austria: Austria was the first country to declare war, as a result of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. By declaring war on Serbia, Russia was soon involved, as so was France. This escalated into eventually many European countries being at war.
Germany: Germany convinced Austria to start war with Serbia. Also, Germany provided Austria with money to help fuel their military needs.
Russia: Russia was the first country to mobilize. By mobilizing, Germany was forced to attack France knowing that they soon would be attacked by Russia. This was because Russia was Serbia's ally, and Germany was Austria's ally.
France: France helped fund Russia into building a railroad along the German border. This was another reason that Germany had to attack France, knowing that France would continue to fund Russia if they didn't stop it.
Britain: Britain could have prevented the war by doing one of two things. Britain could have announced it would remain neutral. This would have prevented other countries from attacking one another, knowing that Britain would probably aid who is attacked. Britain could have also delared which side of the war it was on. This could also have prevented countries from attacking.
World War 1 was caused by numerous events, and each country played a role into starting the war. This is why all the European powers are to blame for World War 1.
Sources:
Austria: http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/balkan_causes.htm
Germany: Source A
Russia: Source J and http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1914.html
France: Source J
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_France_want_revenge_on_Germany#slide=6&article=Why_did_France_want_revenge_on_GermanyBritain: Source H
-Alexander Rodrigues
Personally, I believe that Germany is to blame for World War 1. Germany convinced Austria-Hungary to start war with Serbia. This proved to be the first act of war, and this event dragged many countries into the war, as they were either allies with either Austria or Serbia. Aside from convincing Austria to start war, Germany also expanded the war into different countries. When Russia mobilized it's army, Germany attacked France through Belgium. There was no clear indication whether or not Russia was going to attack Germany, but Germany still decided to attack France. So, because Germany convinced Austria to start war and because Germany expanded the war into France, I blame Germany for World War 1.
I believe that everyone is to blame for the war, but mostly Germany. Germany created the most conflicts and disrupted everyone. While most other countries were just being allies and backing each other up. Every country made mistakes which contributed to the war. They were all greedy for land and power. There was no point to the war other than that, and also not much was accomplished from the entire war itself. If everyone kept to themselves and just let Austria and Serbia figure out the solution to their problem, it could have been possible to avoid a war.