DBQ: World War I

I. Introduction
II. Racism 3
III. Bad alliances 1,2
IV.Lack of international law/rights of the countries 4,5,6
V. Conclusion


Austro Hungary
Germany
Bulgaria
Ottoman Empire
Turks


Serbia
Russia
Italy
England 
France


World War I, the first war that was called "the war to end all wars," was one that was most devastating to our world.  Eight million soldiers died, and ten major European countries fought.  However, this war did not come out of nowhere.  Rampant racism and racial tension between European countries, along with faulty alliances made by some countries, lack of international laws, and assumed rights of the people built up to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand; the ultimate cause of World War I. 

Racism was prevalent in every European country at this time, but Germany was the main offender.  They had always hated and blamed Jews, but they started to extend judgment onto other countries as well. Much of this came from their strong sense of nationalism and the idea that you could not possibly be better than a German. A strong belief of the time can be summed up by saying, "the Germanic races belong to the most highly gifted group, the group usually termed Aryan….Physically and mentally the Aryans are pre-eminent among all peoples; for that reason they are by right, as the Stagirite expresses it, the lords of the world," (Document 3).  The very statement "lord of the world" proves the overall superiority complex of the Germans.  The racism towards each other created a great amount of tension between the various un-allied countries of Europe.


Alliances, powerful political tools, were being made with poor judgment at this time.  For example, the only reason for the alliance between France and Britain, who had formerly hated each other, was because they both hated Germany more.  Another example was Austro-Hungary and Germany allying because of their fear of Russia.  The contract etween them stated, "Should, contrary to their hope, and against the loyal desire of the two High Contracting Parties, one of the two Empires be attacked by Russia the High Contracting Parties are bound to come to the assistance one of the other with the whole war strength of their Empires."  Because of their mutual hatred for Russia, they were now legally bound to fight against Russia together.  Germany and Austro-Hungary also allied with Italy against France, forming the Triple Alliance.  In the contract, "In case Italy, without direct provocation on her part, should be attacked by France for any reason whatsoever, the two other Contracting Parties shall be bound to lend help and assistance with all their forces to the Party attacked.  This same obligation shall devolve upon Italy in case of any aggression without direct provocation by France against Germany," (Document 2).  While this allows a greater chance of winning, it also brings in more tension.  With more and more allies building against other countries, there is the expectation of a war between them.  


The lack of international laws and the feelings of superiority of each individual country fueled World War I immensely.  The Germans believed that "where States are too feeble to put their territory to the best possible use, it is the manifest destiny of those who can and will do so to take their places," (Document 4).  The feeling of arrogance and entitlement was everywhere, and there were no international laws to curb the hunger for foreign soil.  "What was called "international law" was not in fact binding on them, being backed by no more than a moral or customary sanction..More and more people had acquired a larger stake in defending the state," (Document 5).  Without a law that everyone had to abide by, all European nations only had to have their own interests at heart.  The Black Hand was a perfect example of those who wanted to assemble in order to bring their people together at any cost to other countries.  In their by-laws, "Beyond the frontiers of Serbia, fight with all means the enemies of the Serbian national idea…" (Document 6).  This included killing Austro-Hungarian Franz Ferdinand, thus starting World War I.


All of the causes of World War I have something in common: the feeling of entitlement and wanting to protect oneself at all costs.  Racial tension was all about feeling better than other countries, alliances were about winning over other countries, and all of the countries thought that they were better off making their own laws.  World War I could have been avoided by simple humility.