I have written an essay on the causes of World War One. I have to hand it , but i do not think it is the best in answering the question. Can you please read it and give suggestions? Thanx

On Sunday 28th June, 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, part of a Serbian Terrorist Group, called the Black Hand at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovnia. This event and the tension between Europe was a trigger that set off declarations of war and resulted in the “Great War”. Tensions had been building up in Europe for decades through Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances, and these tensions had reach such a point that an event was needed to break these tensions. This was the assassination of the Archduke. Therefore The assassination, Nationalism, Militarism, Imperialism and Alliances were causes of World War One. Australia was involved in the war because of the fact that it was part of the British Empire therefore having duties towards Britain, and also growing patriotic support for the mother country. This patriotism was a main factor in deciding Australia’s fate in World War One.

NATIONALISM

Around the 1900, there was a love and devotion that started to occur towards a persons country. Instead of belonging to different dukes or kings, people started to have nationalism or patriotism towards there country, a sort of pride towards their country. This pride in one’s country resulted in countries thinking that they were superior than other countries, and that sacrificing other land, countries or people for the benefit of your own country was a good thing, because your country is “better” and therefore has more rights. This started alliances and unity between countries whom had same goals and therefore could fight together. For example in the case of the unity between Britain and France, they united because they both believed they were fighting external aggression that threatened their security (From a growing industrialized now unified Germany.) In purpose of defeating Germany If needed, and alliance was formed, because in Reality , the Nationalism in Russia and Britain was that we are better than Germany, and therefore together we can be superior to it. In Germany though, there were two trains of thought. The prevailing thought line was Germany needed to enter the war as soon as possible, because they were being surrounded by aggressors such as France, Britain and Russia. The German people also bought into this notion, as this nationalism that started to exist into Germany soon turned into jealousy. When countries start assuming that they are better than others, jealousy forms between these countries and this in return turns into tension. Nationalism in Germany had turned into jealousy when Britain and France, turned Allies, and therefore Germany made allies with countries. This in return increased tensions between opposing countries until the assignation of the Archduke.

MILITARISM In the decade that lead up to the war, most of the main powers needed a strong military to be able to exert their imperial dominance, and therefore strong militaries were popular during the period. As a result of that, European powers wanted to increase their military power and outdo other countries in terms of Military power and dominance. As a country increased their military power with larger armies and more weapons, others countries would do the same, in order to avoid the balance of power tipping to far one way, and this in turn increased the prospects of World War One. This became known as the Arms Race, and this Militarism, helped build a foundation of war which was triggered by the assassination.

IMPERIALISM

By 1921, Britain had control over many countries in the world : India, Australia, Papua New Guinea, in fact at the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British