World War 1 was supposed to be “The war to end all wars”. While it didn’t live up to that promise it was one of the most interesting wars of all time as countries from across the world fought in it (when you think about it it’s really not that cool). World War 1 started because Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand assassinated Gavrilo Princip who was a member of a Serbian nationalist group. The war lasted from 1914-1918 after this event. The Allies who won the war included the U.S., Britain, France, Serbia, and Russia against the central powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and The Ottoman Empire. 

Serbia was sent an ultimatum from Austria-Hungary with impossible demands. When Serbia didn’t agree to the terms there was war. Germany told Austria-Hungary to go ahead and fight to know that Serbia’s ally Russia would join the war. Russia already mobilizing its troops for a fight was only the beginning though. Germany wanted more power in Europe, But having reached its theoretical peak in power it needed a war to get more territory and power. Germany however couldn’t just declare war on all of Europe as that would end the country due to the inevitable outcome of Germany being singled out of an alliance to destroy Germany. Meanwhile, Britain, noticing Germany’s rising power on the seas where borders didn’t matter, began to worry. Britain had always had an advantage on the water compared to almost all countries. With this new challenger to their Naval power, Britain decided to strike. Austria-Hungary had the same motivation as Germany, they needed more land, and what better place to get it than their southern neighbor Serbia. When Franz Ferdinand was killed it was Austria-Hungary’s perfect opportunity to go against Serbia in a war. Serbia on the other hand killed Austria-Hungary’s Archduke, what was their motivation? Serbia, having just come out of the Balkan Wars, wanted to free all the Slavs that were stuck in their new Austrian home.

World War I probably could have been avoided if so many countries hadn’t been so willing to participate, and desperate for power. After all, should a world war start because of the death of one man? Irrationality and selfishness can lead to violence and chaos…