Question

To what extent do you agree with the following statement:

The Great War was a European catastrophe that could have been avoided if the countries of Europe had worked harder to prevent the conflict.

In the discussion, write a historical argument to either support or oppose the statement above. In your statement, be sure to touch on each of the four sources of conflict you reflected on previously: imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the alliance system. Provide two pieces of evidence to support your statement, using the content in this course and in previous units. Your argument should be three to four paragraphs long.

Answer 1

The Great War was a European catastrophe that could have been avoided to some extent. Imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the alliance system all contributed to the tensions that ultimately led to the outbreak of war. Evidence such as the alliance system dragging countries into the war and the failure to resolve pre-war crises supports this argument.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Great War: A European Catastrophe

To some extent, the statement that the Great War could have been avoided if the countries of Europe had worked harder to prevent the conflict holds true. The war was indeed a European catastrophe, resulting in immense loss of life and destruction. The sources of conflict, including imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the alliance system, played a significant role in escalating tensions and ultimately leading to the outbreak of war.

Imperialism and Nationalism:

Europe's imperial powers were engaged in a race for colonies, resources, and power, fueling competition and tensions between nations. Nationalism was also on the rise, with nations asserting their dominance and pursuing their own interests, often conflicting with one another.

Militarism and the Alliance System:

Militarism, the glorification of military power, had gripped Europe. Massively built up military forces heightened the chances of war. The alliance system, formed to secure protection, ended up dragging countries into the conflict due to the principle of mutual defense.

Two pieces of evidence supporting the statement include:

1. Outbreak of War: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 served as the spark that ignited the war. However, the alliance system escalated the conflict, with countries obligated to defend their allies. A more concerted effort to prevent tensions from escalating could have averted the outbreak of war.
2. Pre-War Crises: The Moroccan Crisis in 1905 and 1911, as well as the Balkan Wars in 1912-1913, highlighted the growing tensions and rivalries among European nations. Diplomatic efforts to resolve these conflicts peacefully were not fully realized, contributing to a state of heightened hostility and paving the way for the Great War.

Learn more about Causes of the Great War