A tiny clipping from a newspaper, mailed without comment from a secret band of terrorists in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, to their comrades in Belgrade, Serbia, was the torch which set the world afire with war in 1914. That bit of paper wrecked old, proud empires. It gave birth to new, free nations. I was one of the members of the terrorist band in Belgrade which received it.
The little clipping declared that the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand would visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, June 28th, to direct army maneuvers in the neighboring mountains. It reached our meeting place, the café called Zlatna Moruna, one night the latter part of April, 1914. To understand how great a sensation that little piece of paper caused among us when it was passed from hand to hand almost in silence, and how greatly it inflamed our hearts, it is necessary to explain just why the Black Hand existed, the kind of men that were in it, and the significance of that date, June 28, on which the Archduke dared to enter Sarajevo.
At a small table in a very humble café, beneath a flickering gas jet we sat and read it. There was no advice nor admonition sent with it. Only four letters and two numerals were sufficient to make us unanimous, without discussion, as to what we should do about it.
They were convened in Sarajevo all the twenty-two conspirators were in their allotted positions, armed and ready. They were distributed five hundred yards apart over the whole route along which the Archduke must travel from the railroad station to the town hall. When Francis Ferdinand and his entourage drove from the station they were allowed to pass the first two conspirators. The motor cars were driving too fast to make an attempt feasible and in the crowd were many Serbians; throwing a grenade would have killed many innocent people. When a car passed Gabrinovic, the compositor, he threw his grenade. It hit the side of the car, but Francis Ferdinand with presence of mind threw himself back and was uninjured. Several officers riding in his attendance were injured.
The cars sped to the Town Hall and the rest of the conspirators did not interfere with them. After the reception in the Town Hall General Potiorek, the Austrian Commander, pleaded with Francis Ferdinand to leave the city, as it was seething with rebellion. The Archduke was persuaded to drive the shortest way out of the city and to go quickly. The road to the maneuvers was shaped like the letter V, making a sharp turn at the bridge over the River Milgacka. Francis Ferdinand’s car could go fast enough until it reached this spot but here it was forced to slow down for the turn. Here Princip had taken his stand. As the car came abreast he stepped forward from the curb, drew his automatic pistol from his coat, and fired two shots. The first struck the wife of the Archduke, the Archduchess Sofia, in the abdomen. She was an expectant mother. She died instantly. The second bullet struck the Archduke close to the heart. He uttered, “Sophie, don’t die”- a call to his stricken wife. Then his head fell back and he collapsed. He died almost instantly.
The officers seized Princip. They beat him over the head with the flat of their swords. They knocked him down, they kicked him, scraped the skin from his neck with the edges of their swords, tortured him, all but killed him. The next day they put chains on Princip’s feet, which he wore till his death…I was placed in the cell next to Princip’s, and when Princip was taken out to walk in the prison yard I was taken along as his companion…Awakened in the middle of the night and told that he was to be carried off to another prison, Princip made an appeal to the prison governor:
There is no need to carry me to another prison. My life is already ebbing away. I suggest that you nail me to a cross and burn me alive. My flaming body will be a torch to light my people on their path to freedom.
Source 2
The Zimmerman Telegram
FROM 2nd from London # 5747.
We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace.
Signed, ZIMMERMANN
Source 3
Excerpt from – Woodrow Wilson’s Speech Before Congress, April 2, 1917
On February 3, 1917, the Imperial German Government announced that German submarines would attack all ships approaching Great Britain, Ireland, and other ports controlled by enemies of Germany. Below are excerpts of President Wilson’s speech before Congress on April 2, 1917.
. . . The new policy [of the Imperial German Government] has swept every restriction aside. Vessels of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom without warning and without thought of help or mercy for those on
board, the vessels of friendly neutrals along with those of belligerents. . .
. . . The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken . . . but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in
the same way. There has been no discrimination. . .
. . . Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved and the freedom of its peoples, and the menace to that peace and freedom lies in the existence of autocratic governments backed by organized force which is controlled wholly by their will, not by the will of their people. . .
. . . The world must be made safe for democracy . . . We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.
Using your social studies knowledge and the provided source materials, analyze the causes of World War I, the factors that led to the United States' involvement in the conflict, and the justifications provided for that involvement.
1 answer
World War I, often referred to as the Great War, was precipitated by a complex web of causes that included imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and alliance systems, culminating in a series of events that ignited conflict across Europe. The sources provided offer insight into two important aspects: the assassination that directly sparked the war and the factors that prompted the U.S. to engage in the conflict years later.
Causes of World War I
Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions: Nationalistic fervor was rampant in Europe, particularly in the Balkans where various ethnic groups sought independence from empires. The radical nationalist group, the Black Hand, motivated by a desire for Bosnian Serb independence from Austro-Hungarian rule, played a key role in the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand. The act of killing the archduke on June 28, 1914, as outlined in Source 1, escalated tensions, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. This assassination, a product of nationalist aspirations, set off a chain reaction among the major powers due to their alliances.
Imperialism and Militarism: The competitive scramble for colonies and military supremacy amongst European powers added to the tensions. Nations built up vast arsenals and military alliances, further heightening the sense of insecurity and the likelihood of war. The environment was ripe for conflict because of the aggressive posturing of countries and their readiness to mobilize at the slightest provocation.
Alliance Systems: The entangled alliances of the early 20th century meant that a conflict involving one country could quickly escalate into a broader war involving many nations. The Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later the Ottomans), and the Allied Powers (France, Britain, Russia, and later Italy and the United States) were often drawn into the conflict due to obligations to support their allies.
Factors Leading to U.S. Involvement
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany's decision to engage in unrestricted submarine warfare, highlighted in the Zimmerman Telegram (Source 2) and President Woodrow Wilson's speech (Source 3), significantly influenced U.S. sentiment. Germany threatened neutral ships, including American vessels, and sank merchant ships without warning, which resulted in American casualties and outrage. This disregard for neutral rights created a moral impetus for the U.S. to act.
The Zimmerman Telegram: The intercepted communication from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S., should America enter the war. This proposal aimed at rekindling Mexico's claims to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona stirred public outrage in America and was a critical factor in shifting public opinion towards supporting intervention in the war.
Ideological Factors: President Wilson framed the U.S. involvement as a moral obligation to defend democracy. In his speech to Congress (Source 3), Wilson emphasized that the threats posed by autocratic governments (primarily Germany) made American neutrality untenable. He stated, "The world must be made safe for democracy," which resonated with the American public and lawmakers alike, giving a righteous justification for entering the war.
Justifications for U.S. Involvement
Defense of Democracy: The element of fighting for democracy was central to Wilson's justification. He positioned the U.S. as a champion of the rights of all persons, emphasizing that the war was about more than territory; it was about preserving freedom and democracy against autocratic regimes.
Moral Imperative: Wilson argued that U.S. involvement was necessary to protect humanity against the barbarity of unrestricted warfare, describing the sinking of ships and loss of innocent lives as a violation of international norms and human rights. This moral standpoint helped to build a case for war that extended beyond mere national interest.
International Stability: Wilson believed that a stable international order would only be achievable if autocratic governments were replaced with democratic ones, reinforcing his stance that U.S. involvement would lead to a more peaceful and cooperative world.
Conclusion
The causes of World War I were rooted in nationalism, militarism, and complex alliances, with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand serving as the catalyst for war. The U.S. was drawn into the conflict due to Germany's aggressive submarine warfare, the implications of the Zimmerman Telegram, and Wilson's depiction of the war as a righteous battle to defend democracy and global stability. These layered causes and justifications reflect the complicated dynamics that drove nations into one of history's most devastating conflicts.
2 answers