- System of alliances emerged in late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Countries entered alliances for security and mutual support in case of conflicts.
2. Dual Alliance:
- 1879 - Austria-Hungary and Germany.
- Defensive alliance obligating both parties to assist if either faced Russian attack.
3. Triple Alliance:
-1882 - Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy (later joined in 1882).
- Defensive pact with provisions for mutual assistance in case of French or Russian aggression.
4. Triple Entente:
- 1907 - Britain, France, and Russian Empire.
- Not a formal alliance but a series of informal agreements.
- Aimed to counterbalance Germany's growing influence in Europe.
5. Entangled Diplomatic Web:
- Formation of these alliances created a complex network of commitments.
- If one country faced conflict with an ally's enemy, the commitment to the alliance drew other countries into the conflict.
6. Balkan Powder Keg:
- Balkans region was a hotbed of nationalism, ethnic conflicts, and territorial disputes.
- Alliances obligated powers to support certain Balkan countries, heightening tensions.
7. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
- 1914 - Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist.
- It triggered a diplomatic crisis.
8. Chain Reaction of Mobilization:
- Austria-Hungary mobilized its army and issued an ultimatum to Serbia.
- Russia, as an ally of Serbia, started mobilizing in response.
- Germany, bound to Austria-Hungary by the Dual Alliance, viewed the Russian mobilization as a threat and issued an ultimatum.
- Other countries joined based on their alliances.
9. Failure of Diplomacy:
- Various attempts at diplomatic negotiations and mediation failed to resolve the escalating crisis.
- Countries felt obligated to honor treaty commitments and protect their allies' interests.
10. Outdated Crisis Resolution Mechanisms:
- Absence of effective international institutions or mechanisms to peacefully mediate disputes contributed to the escalation of war.
11. Domino Effect of Declarations:
- In the wake of Germany's ultimatum, Russia, France, and Belgium began to mobilize their forces.
- Germany viewed these actions as hostile and declared war on Russia (August 1, 1914) followed by France (August 3, 1914).
- Britain, bound to France by the Entente Cordiale, declared war on Germany (August 4, 1914).
Ultimately, the system of alliances created a complex web of commitments that made it difficult for diplomatic efforts to defuse the tensions triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.