Question

Study the picture and answer the questions that follow:

1. Identify the event in the picture and state how it became the immediate cause of the First World War.
2. State any three other causes of the First World War.
3. Mention any three clauses of the Treaty of Versailles.

Answer 1

1. Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand:
   On June 28, 1914, Archduke Ferdinand, the Austrian Prince, was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The assassin was a Serb, leading Austria to blame Serbia and send an ultimatum. Serbia refused some demands, citing sovereignty, resulting in Austria declaring war on Serbia, which triggered the First World War.
2. Causes of the War:
   1. Militant Nationalism: Leaders fuelled hatred for other nations to foster patriotism. For example, France sought revenge on Germany to reclaim Alsace and Lorraine.
   2. Race for Armaments: Germany built a powerful navy to rival Britain, leading to concerns among other powers like Britain and France.
   3. Division of Europe: Alliances emerged, with the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) opposed by the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia). These alliances heightened tensions and created instability.
3. Key Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles:
   1. The Rhine Valley was demilitarised, and German territories west of the Rhine were occupied by Allied troops for 15 years.
   2. Germany lost its colonies to Allied nations such as Britain, Belgium, and Portugal.
   3. The German military was restricted to 100,000 soldiers and a small navy, with the air force and submarines banned.