Why World War 1 happened? | The Real Reason | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

This video script delves into the complex origins of World War I, triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It explores the intricate web of political alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and militarism that fueled the conflict. Highlighting key events and the rise of anti-war sentiments, the script paints a vivid picture of the era's socio-political landscape, questioning the motivations behind the war and its impact on the common soldier.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28th June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip was the spark that ignited World War I, a conflict that lasted four years and resulted in over 20 million casualties.
• ⏳ World War I was not a singular event but the result of a complex chain of reasons including nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and political alliances, which acted like a 'mountain of dynamite' waiting for a spark.
• 👑 The political landscape of Europe in 1914 was dominated by monarchies and empires, with only France, Switzerland, and San Marino being democracies.
• 🔍 The Balkan countries, including Serbia, played a crucial role in the lead-up to World War I, with the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary being a significant point of contention.
• 🤝 The secret agreements between Austria-Hungary and Russia over the annexation of Bosnia and the Strait of Bosphorus reflect the complex political maneuvering that contributed to the war.
• 🔫 The desire for a 'United South Slavic nation' or Yugoslavia was a driving force behind the revolutionary group 'Young Bosnia,' which included Gavrilo Princip.
• 😡 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, which in turn triggered a series of alliances and declarations of war among European powers.
• 🤝🏻 The 'Chain of Friendship' describes the series of alliances that led to a widespread conflict, involving countries like France, Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
• 💡 Nationalism, imperialism, and militarism were manipulated by the ruling monarchs and emperors to justify wars and territorial expansion for resources and power.
• 📰 Propaganda played a significant role in rallying support for the war, portraying soldiers as heroes and war as a noble endeavor, despite the opposition from various anti-war groups and intellectuals.
• 🕊️ Instances like the Christmas Truce of 1914 and various anti-war movements show that not all citizens supported the conflict, highlighting the disconnect between the common people and the ruling class's ambitions.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on 28th June 1914 that triggered World War I?

The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Prince by a 19-year-old student named Gavrilo Princip.

How many years did World War I last, and how many people lost their lives as a result?

World War I lasted four years and resulted in the loss of more than 20 million lives.

What was the political status of Bosnia-Herzegovina according to the Treaty of Berlin in 1878?

According to the Treaty of Berlin, the Austro-Hungarian empire was given the right to administer the region of Bosnia-Herzegovina temporarily, but it would officially remain a part of the Ottoman empire.

Why did the Austro-Hungarian empire annex Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908?

The Austro-Hungarian empire annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina to expand its territory and influence, despite the region being officially part of the Ottoman empire.

What was the name of the revolutionary group that aimed to unite the South Slavic people and build a United South Slavic nation?

The revolutionary group was called 'Young Bosnia'.

What was the name of the South Slavic nation that the Young Bosnia group wanted to create?

The name of the South Slavic nation they aimed to create was Yugoslavia.

What were the main reasons for the occurrence of World War I according to the script?

The main reasons for World War I were nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and political alliances among countries.

How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand lead to the declaration of war by the Austro-Hungarian empire on Serbia?

The assassination enraged the Austro-Hungarian empire, leading them to declare war on Serbia, as they saw it as an act of aggression against their empire.

What was the Triple Entente, and which countries were part of this alliance?

The Triple Entente was an alliance formed in 1907 among Great Britain, France, and Russia, promising mutual support if any of the Great Powers were attacked.

Why did Italy not support Austria-Hungary and Germany during World War I despite being part of the Triple Alliance?

Italy did not support Austria-Hungary and Germany because the agreement was to help each other in case of an attack on their own country, and since Austria-Hungary and Germany were the aggressors invading Serbia, Italy claimed they were not bound to help.

What role did propaganda play in pushing common people to join the war?

Propaganda played a significant role by glorifying war and soldiers, creating a sense of nationalism, and portraying enlistment in the army as a noble and heroic act, which influenced common people to join the war despite its devastating nature.