1. What do you think was the most important cause of World War I and why?

Question

2. After looking at the countries in both the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, and the information provided about them, which side do you think was more likely to win heading into an armed conflict and why? Use an external secondary source to justify your position, and cite it in the video note section with MLA format.
make it sound like a grade 10. 1min 30sec speech

Answer 1

Speech on the Causes of World War I and the Likely Victor

Good morning, everyone. Today, I will discuss what I believe was the most important cause of World War I and analyze which side was more likely to win before the conflict began.

Firstly, I think the most crucial cause of World War I was nationalism. Nationalism fueled intense pride and competition among countries in Europe, especially in the years leading up to the war. Each nation sought to assert its dominance and secure its interests, leading to an atmosphere filled with tension. For example, in the Balkans, Slavic nationalism was on the rise, and countries like Serbia wanted independence from Austria-Hungary, which only created more conflict. This strong sense of nationalism not only motivated countries to act aggressively but also made it difficult to resolve disputes peacefully, setting the stage for a larger conflict.

Now, let’s look at the military alliances in place before the war. On one side, we had the Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. On the other side were the members of the Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Great Britain. Assessing the military capabilities, I believe the Triple Entente was more likely to win heading into the armed conflict.

According to historian Martin Gilbert, the Entente powers had superior resources and a larger population to draw from. He states that “the combined might of the British Empire and the Russian Empire was formidable, clearly outnumbering the Central Powers in terms of manpower and industrial capacity” (Gilbert 38). This suggests that while Germany had a strong military, the Triple Entente’s resources and alliances provided them with a strategic advantage. In addition to sheer numbers, the Entente's naval power, particularly Britain's, allowed them to control vital sea routes and resources.

In conclusion, nationalism played a significant role in igniting World War I, and the Triple Entente had the upper hand with their larger resources and alliances. Thank you for your attention.

Works Cited
Gilbert, Martin. The First World War: A Complete History. St. Martin's Press, 1994.