HISTORY 1DD3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Otto Von Bismarck, Reinsurance Treaty, Archduke Franz Ferdinand Of Austria
1 Nov 2017
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The first world war was neither an accident nor inevitable nor was it the sole result of structural or long-term factors. It is not the case that the well-established and rampant militarism, rival nationalisms, competing imperialisms, or the alliance system caused the first world war. Rather, such factors helped shape the conflict that did develop once war was declared. The reason that war broke out in 1914 in the first place had far more to do with contingency, the perceptions and misperceptions of statesmen, and ultimately, human agency. The leaders of the great powers of europe chose to go to war in 1914 because, for differing reasons, they believed that war was the best alternative given the various situations they faced. In this era, for europe(cid:495)s leaders, war was neither unthinkable nor a last resort: for the men who made the decisions in 1914, war was merely an option, a tool in their diplomatic toolbox.
