WWI. who is the bad guy. serbia and austria are pissed at each other. one nationalist

[seabeyond]

from serbia kills the austrian heir. austria says they are going to invade serbia militarily. countries takes sides....

who is the bad guy in world war 1.

my 16 yr old and i are having a debate.

thanks

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Both countries are at fault.

Serbia and Bosnia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and some of its citizens wanted independence. But the Hapsburgs wouldn't release any of its territories.

An anarchist who claimed he wanted independence for his country assassinated the heir to the throne and his wife. Never mind that their marriage wasn't approved of. (Sophie Chotek was a "commoner" and the couple were married against the wishes of the royal family.) The act of killing anyone of the royal family was considered an act of war. And Serbia-Bosnia wouldn't hand over the accused assassin.

So both parties were at a stalemate, there were treaties in place to incorporate other countries if there were war, and instead of preventing a world war, the treaties created one.

[mysuzuki2]

7. Serbia was not part of the empire at that time.

Austria had designs on Serbia and they used the assassination as an excuse to invade. Unfortunately, the Austrian army couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag and Russia and Germany got involved, followed by France and Britain.

[elleng]

2. Dunno about 'bad guy,' but countries had alliances

which forced them to 'take sides.'

Maybe discuss nature of alliances? Nations have 'interests,' not 'friends.'

Have fun!

:hi:

[RagAss]

3. I don't know...but if a Bush was in charge...Mexico would be invaded !

[FLPanhandle]

4. Here's a great BBC clip on the start of WW1 from Horrible Histories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfxrTD-kPps

I wouldn't say there was so much a "bad guy" but lack of anyone stepping back and looking at the situation with common sense and saying "Hey, wait a minute, this is stupid".

[seabeyond]

5. thanks. i will look. that is what i concluded when i read about it....

"Hey, wait a minute, this is stupid".

[FLPanhandle]

6. The Horrible Histories series is funny and great for kids (and adults)

My daughters have watched them all on YouTube.

[MadHound]

8. European countries in general.

They set up such an interlinked web of alliances that the least little thing would precipitate a major war.

As far as immediate blame, yes, Gavrilo Princip fired the fatal shot, and he was backed by a Serbian nationalist movement. But on the other hand, Austria waaaay overreacted.

[WinkyDink]

9. Victoria's descendants were having a bad day.