World War One was important because it was the first war to spread to more than one continent. It was the first international war in history and the first war that really showed the capability and destruction that the human species was capable of. There was already a lead-up to the war from tension between neighbouring countries; Austria-Hungary and Serbia. However, the spark that lit the fuse was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip; a Serbian terrorist belonging to an organisation called ‘The Black Hand.’ Princip’s assassination was viewed by Austria-Hungary as a direct challenge from Serbia to its position as a ruler of Bosnia and its standing as a Great Power. Austria-Hungary’s reaction was to teach Serbia a lesson by declaring a war against them. Within days, the whole of Europe was at war.
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 There were a number of countries involved in the war hence the name; World War One. However, there were six main countries involved. Three of the six formed the ‘Triple Entente’ and these were Great Britain, France, the Russian Empire. The other three formed the ‘Triple Alliance’ and these countries were Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Other countries involved were most of Africa, India and Australasia due to Britain, France and Germany committing their empires, automatically involving those countries. Much of Central America was involved as well after the entry of the US in 1917.  The Triple Entente (in green) and The Triple Alliance (in orange) Bibliography: |
