The climate of Europe preceding World War I was one of tension and mistrust. No major wars had been waged for forty years, yet small conflicts initiated the beginning of what was to become the worst war of its time. The Bosnian crisis created a rift between Austria and Germany and their rivals, Serbia and Russia. Conflicts over Morocco in the early 1900s served to anger Britain against Germany. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria and Italy) and the Triple Entente (Russia, France and England) teetered on the edge of war, with each individual nation desiring certain gains. Germany yearned for increased power and expansion, while Serbia simply sought national unity and freedom. Austria, once a major power, wished to return to its former status. Russia sought control of the Turkish Straits and Constantinople, opening their way to the Mediterranean. The murder of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (who ironically might have preserved peace if he lived) on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo ignited the powers into confrontation. All involved share some blame for the war, with the imperialism and nationalism of certain nations making conflict inevitable.
Germany’s secret plans were greatly influenced by the infamous Schlieffen Plan. It designed a military course of action first through France and then turning around to fight Russia in the culminating victory for Germany. This growing dream of expansion needed an outlet. Austria’s sudden conflict with Serbia provided an ideal change to gain prestige. The tremendous influence Germany had over Austria is seen through the Hoyos-Zimmerman talks, where the Austrians continually accepted any German proposal willingly. Austria seemed to be a pawn of German power, even to the point where they were told to decl
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