responsibility for causing World War I. This was a totally

justifiable demand on the part of the victorious powers. The Treaty of

Versailles was enacted into history in June 1919 with Germany forced

to accept sole responsibility for causing World War I. Since then

there has been considerable debate concerning the war but even today

historians still cannot fully agree upon the causes. Some support has

been given to the theory that Germany was totally responsible for the

war however substantial evidence does not support that view.

Therefore the insistence by the victorious powers to include in the

Treaty that Germany accept total blame cannot be justified. This

essay examines certain events and actions prior to the July crisis.

These caused tension and hostility among nations but did not have a

direct bearing upon the war. Also it has been determined that there

were decisions and courses of action taken by several nations

following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand heir to the

Austrian-Hungarian throne which did have a direct bearing upon World

Development of political and military a

strengthened Serbs position and this gave Austria-Hungary concern

between Turkey and the Balkan League [Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece]

of the interference of the great powers in Balkan politics.[Grolier -

alliance systems developed due to conflicting national interests

discussed did not contribute directly to World War I they did indeed

there was several major events associated with its commencement. For

1905-1913. Britain hardened its position towards Germany. The arms

The arms race which mainly involved Britain and Germany began

in 1896 when Germany took the decision to significantly expand its

though Germany at that point had no specific quarrel with France.

and certainly fueled the arms race which in effect prepared nations

However what really contributed to the commencement of World

during the period 1905-1913. First the Moroccan crisis involving

Some common words found in the essay are:
World War, Britain Germany, Franz Ferdinand, War Historians, Britain European, Austria-Hungary August, Treaty Germany, Austria-Hungary Britain, Serbia Serbia, France Germany, world war, arms race, july crisis, war serbia, schlieffen plan, cause world war, direct bearing, military alliances, cause world, franz ferdinand, support austria-hungary, historians agree causes, caused tension hostility, war historians agree, tension hostility nations,
Approximate Word count = 1443
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)