Causes of World War I

The podcast that I chose was about the cause of World War I. I had found this pod cast at www.historypodcast. net the podcast went in to great detailed pre war how each nation wanted to gain or protect its self from their neighbors. Germany seemed more insurered about there position having France to the west and Russia to the east.  They had made Alliances with Austria Hungary due to if Russian had declared war on Austria Hungary Germany would come to there rescue and vies versa. Another point that the podcast pointed out was the Baltic question, which would take control of those countries.   Russia felt like they should take over due to they are fellow Slavs and they wanted them to stick together.  

Austria- Hungary felt they had a right due to the had tried to annex Bosnia.  The main four reasons for all this was Colonies, Arms race, Alliances and the Balkans states.  Colonies was one of the biggest problems which lead to World War I, due to ethnic backgrounds could not get along an they were upset with the home country for putting them there.  Alliances as another big part Germany were nerves that they would have to fight a two front war with France and Russia. So they had allied themselves is Austria Hungary to make sure they had back up incase of war had broken out.  Germany though France was weaker then Russia.  In the podcast each nation had there own reason for the war, Austria Hungary’s was to annex Bosnia from the ottoman empire which was falling apart, so gain was there main point to enter. Unlike, Germany who was in fear of the other nations.  Russia was in the war for gain to give them ports to the Mediterranean Sea. Nicholas II wanted to regain colonies, which were lost in years past.  Bosnia was key due to Russia felt due to Bosnian background they should take control. Russia and Austria Hungary had tensions over the states for ho would control it.  France went to war due to they fear and wanted secretly gain. Germany had beaten them a couple of times and France wanted to gain form there lost. Russia and France had made alliance do force Germany into war and they would take from the East to west. Britain had motives as well even though they did not want to gain land. Most countries had feared Germany due to they were coming a super power.  The causes of World War I were fear, gain, alliances and annexing counties to make each nation stronger, then their competitors at bay.   

http://www.historypodcast.net/