Austria-Hungary Did It!
Evidence 1:
Austria-Hungary is a part of the Triple Alliance along with Germany and Italy. Although Italy is apart of the Triple Alliance, they didn't have a big impact on the starting of the war compared to Austria-Hungary and Germany.
Kaiser Wilhelm, the German leader thought that the action of war "must not be delayed". Although Austria had the choice of starting the war early or not they decided to go along with Germany's idea and began the war against Serbia. Also, Germany issued Austria a blank check for military support. It may seem like Germany is at fault considering this piece of evidence but Austria could have refused the offer of the blank check and also the idea of not delaying the war. Despite the fact that Germany provided the ideas and materials needed for war, Austria is to blame because they followed through with it.
From Count Szogyeny, the Austrian ambassador in Berlin, reporting a famous conversation with the Kaiser, July 1914.
Austria-Hungary is a part of the Triple Alliance along with Germany and Italy. Although Italy is apart of the Triple Alliance, they didn't have a big impact on the starting of the war compared to Austria-Hungary and Germany.
Kaiser Wilhelm, the German leader thought that the action of war "must not be delayed". Although Austria had the choice of starting the war early or not they decided to go along with Germany's idea and began the war against Serbia. Also, Germany issued Austria a blank check for military support. It may seem like Germany is at fault considering this piece of evidence but Austria could have refused the offer of the blank check and also the idea of not delaying the war. Despite the fact that Germany provided the ideas and materials needed for war, Austria is to blame because they followed through with it.
From Count Szogyeny, the Austrian ambassador in Berlin, reporting a famous conversation with the Kaiser, July 1914.
Evidence 2:
The immediate cause of WWI was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, he was murdered by a group of Serbian Terrorists. Austria decided to create an ultimatum to Serbia because they didn't want the Austrians to come to their country and take away their citizens for assassinating the Austrians Archduke, in spite of the fact that they don't even like their own Archduke. Austria-Hungary constructed this ultimatum for selfish reasons. At the time, war was seen as glorious, and if you signed up to go to war you were seen to be a loyal and honourable citizen to your country.
From Oxford University Press 1988. Reprinted from 'The Coming of the First World War'
The immediate cause of WWI was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, he was murdered by a group of Serbian Terrorists. Austria decided to create an ultimatum to Serbia because they didn't want the Austrians to come to their country and take away their citizens for assassinating the Austrians Archduke, in spite of the fact that they don't even like their own Archduke. Austria-Hungary constructed this ultimatum for selfish reasons. At the time, war was seen as glorious, and if you signed up to go to war you were seen to be a loyal and honourable citizen to your country.
From Oxford University Press 1988. Reprinted from 'The Coming of the First World War'
Evidence 3:
Austria wanted to start war against Serbia with the help of Germany. Other countries told Austria not to start a war but they put their interests above keeping peace. This lead to other countries being dragged into the war. So not only did Austria start the conflict, they made the war an even bigger issue by getting other countries involved.
From Oxford University Press 1988. Reprinted from 'The Coming of the First World War'
Source A:
The Austrian government was not much concerned to punish the crime of Sarajevo. They wanted to punish a different crime - the crime that Serbia committed by existing as a free national state.
AJP Taylor, Europe - Grandeur and Decline (1967)
AJP Taylor was a respected, but outspoken, historian
Conclusion:
We believe that World War One started when Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia. Although some may argue that Serbia or Germany could be the cause of the attack, Austria-Hungary has most the blame. Serbian terrorists may have killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but he was not liked by many people anyways. His assassination did not impact anything or anyone. Austria-Hungary used the assassination as an excuse to attack Serbia. Germany was also said be a cause for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia. Even though Germany had given Austria-Hungary a blank check, Austria-Hungary could've refused to use the check. Instead, Austria-Hungary cashed the check and also created war. Germany had also told Austria-Hungary to not delay the war and that they would be by their sides 100%. Because Austria-Hungary and Germany were allies, Germany was dragged into the war. Russia being Serbia's ally, was also dragged into the war. Another point would be that Austria-Hungary was told to not start war by many other countries, but still put their interests above everyone else's. These points of evidence show that Austria-Hungary started World War One.
Austria wanted to start war against Serbia with the help of Germany. Other countries told Austria not to start a war but they put their interests above keeping peace. This lead to other countries being dragged into the war. So not only did Austria start the conflict, they made the war an even bigger issue by getting other countries involved.
From Oxford University Press 1988. Reprinted from 'The Coming of the First World War'
Source A:
The Austrian government was not much concerned to punish the crime of Sarajevo. They wanted to punish a different crime - the crime that Serbia committed by existing as a free national state.
AJP Taylor, Europe - Grandeur and Decline (1967)
AJP Taylor was a respected, but outspoken, historian
Conclusion:
We believe that World War One started when Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia. Although some may argue that Serbia or Germany could be the cause of the attack, Austria-Hungary has most the blame. Serbian terrorists may have killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but he was not liked by many people anyways. His assassination did not impact anything or anyone. Austria-Hungary used the assassination as an excuse to attack Serbia. Germany was also said be a cause for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia. Even though Germany had given Austria-Hungary a blank check, Austria-Hungary could've refused to use the check. Instead, Austria-Hungary cashed the check and also created war. Germany had also told Austria-Hungary to not delay the war and that they would be by their sides 100%. Because Austria-Hungary and Germany were allies, Germany was dragged into the war. Russia being Serbia's ally, was also dragged into the war. Another point would be that Austria-Hungary was told to not start war by many other countries, but still put their interests above everyone else's. These points of evidence show that Austria-Hungary started World War One.