Who or what do you think was the most responsible.
In this essay I am explaining the short and long term causes of the start of World War One. Also by analysing this I will tell you who I think was the most responsible for the start World War One and the most responsible cause. The year is 1914 and the hatred between some countries in Europe. The countries were as bad as each other none would back down. There would be only one way to settle this dispute and all avenues led to war!.
The long-term causes were a vital part to the build up towards the war. The Triple Alliance consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were in constant competition with the Triple Entente built up by Britain, France and Russia. The constant competition with each other played its part to start of the war as this led to the hatred between the countries as the two sides wanted to beat each other each side wanted to be more powerful and seen to be more dangerous to be against in a war. This created the threats to the other countries, as they would be building up their armies to seem more powerful to other countries. As the other country would think they were building their army up to attack them. When really the weren't. They were just continuing the competition the two sides had.
Also the Franco-Prussian war maybe the most important cause in some peoples eyes. The Franco-Prussian war I think also built up the hatred between France and Germany. As they were in war before World War One over a piece of land Alsace-Lorraine. This tiny piece of land led to the hatred of France and Germany the coming together of the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. These two causes are linked as they both create the hatred of the countries in Europe and the Franco-Prussian war created the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente, which would then lead to be a major cause in the build up towards the war. .
Kaiser Wilhelm II's personality was a long-term cause as he was an unstable man he had a twisted left arm and was partly death, he had terrible balance he was tortured until his balance was gained.