War and Peace international relations since 1914 - Essay Example

What were the decisive events in July August 1914 that brought about the start of war? The end of June 1914 marked one of the most important events that would set course for the First World War of the 20th century. It came about in form of assassination of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip who was alleged to have been associated with a secret society of Black Hand. This event set the course for activity heavy months of July and August. The earlier part of July saw engagement of Austria and Serbia in ultimatums and souring of relationship.

Count Berchtold was the center figure who represented Austria and he set forth number of demands to Austria. It was done so on 23rd July. The last part of July saw attack of Austria over Serbia. 28th July marked the day when Austria unleashed on Serbia. 31st July marked Germany’s attack on Russia on Eastern front. 3rd August marked attack of Germany on France. 4th August marked attack of Great Britain on Germany. Between 15th to 18th August, three major events took place. Russia took over parts of Prussia, and U.S.A reaffirmed its neutrality (Tuchman).

What conflicts emerged between the Big Three during W.W.2?The issues that came forth around the second and later stage of W.W.2 were pertinent to the post war settlements, say and influence and sharing of the spoils of war. Great Britain and U.S.A had soft corner for one another, Russia on other hand wanted maximum shares. It claimed those shares on account of the sacrifices and number of troops and other civilian casualties suffered by Russia. The case of Poland was another area of interest between these two.

Russia wanted major say and influence in the affairs of European countries that had been unseated, while United States of America wanted to break the shackles and come out of the old custom of isolation. Great Britain on other side wanted to maintain its influence and presence through economic strengthening and importance of seas. The case of Germany and the influence maintaining was another area of conflict that came up in the later part of the Second World War (Keylor, 85). Iron Curtain was an important speech that is still remembered as a hall mark of those days.

The conflict gave rise to Cold war which lasted for over five decades after the end of Second World War.Discuss the relationship between the power of Triple Alliance and those of Triple Entente in the year 1914. How would you characterize those relations?The relationship between these two groups had fragmented the continent of Europe into two distinct blocs. Both were drawn by the spirit of hatred, ill will, suspicion towards one another. Each aimed at outsmarting one another through military might and counter maneuvers.

The Triple Entente was driven by historic relationship and strong ties. The central powers had come together through the aims of military expansion and territorial aggrandizements. Old rivalries were also an element that existed between the two groups. For example the case of Alsace and Lorain was a point of conflict between Germany and France since the days of Prusso- Franco war fought in 1870 (Lafore). France wanted this area annexed. Great Britain also wanted to break the building might of Germany it had gained in recent years.

Russia had its influence intertwined through the subject states of Slavs. Hence the overall relationship was one of animosity and ill will.References:Lafore, Laurence. The Long Fuse: An Interpretation of the Origins of World War I. Waveland Press, 1997.Keylor, William R. The Twentieth-Century World: An International History. Oxford University Press, 2001.Tuchman, Barbara W. The Guns of August: The Outbreak of World War I. Random House Publishing Group, 2009.