War began due to many reasons.
It could be said that it was because Germany stole Alsace Lorraine from France, leaving France with a grudge that was yet to be extracted, or because the Triple Entente made up of France, Russia and Britain surrounded Germany, making Germany feel vulnerable. Germany’s feelings led her to form the Triple Alliance made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Or maybe it was the growth of Germany in both political and economic powers that lead to distrust among the other nations. ‘Darwinism’ made weaker countries uncomfortable, as the thought that only the powerful, bigger nations would flourish, and they would be destroyed did not sit well.
The battle for colonial and military power began, and Germany was one of the many countries that wanted military power and had the biggest army of troops, standing at 2.2 million men at the ready. It was just under the amount of Russia and Frances’ troops combined.
When the First World War broke out, Australia was still very much a part of the British nation; meaning that since Britain had entered the war, Australia would too. Australia had pledged that should war break out, 20 000 men would participate on Britain’s side of the war.
But regardless of all the other sparks that could have led to war the main trigger of World War One was the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the 28th of June, 1914. The Archduke was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and the country was not pleased, and blamed the deaths on Serbia.
