| abstract | - There are many causes resulting in the Great War. The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 saw the defeat of France and the unification of the German states into a German nation. This new country had an especially strong industry which challenged that of Britain. A naval race followed when both countries spent a monopoly on the construction of new and powerful ships known as Dreadnoughts. The assasination of the Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand worsened matters. He was killed while visiting Sarajevo by a group of young Bosnians who wanted independance from the Austro-Hungarian empire. Austria claimed that the Bosnians were under instructions from the Serbian government, a claim which is yet to be proven. It is known that Austria had been looking for an excuse to attack the Serbs for a long time and had now finally found one. However the Russian backing of Serbia (both are Slav nations) put doubt in Austrian minds. However Germany responded by supporting the Austrians (both of them speak Germans, therefore feel that they are natural allies). Following the signing of several treaties, Europe was divided into two well armed camps. In 1914, the German military initiated the Schlieffen Plan. As Germany was surrounded by France and Russia, two opposing nations (France in paticular wanted revenge against Germany for the 1870 war), it was in a sticky situation. If ever the French or Russians declared war on her, the other would follow suit. Knowing Russia was a backwards nation with poor transport systems, it would take some time for them to mobilise their armies. Germany thought that if it could defeat France in this time, it could turn around and face the oncoming Russians. A war on two fronts would be avoided. The Germans gave themselves 6 weeks to take France. However they had to attack the neutral Belgium first, this resulted with Britain being brought into the fray against Germany. The invasion was poorly planned and the Russians mobilised faster than expected. An all-out European war had begun.
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