The Balkan crisis of summer 1914 was the occasion for, rather than the cause of, the First World War.’ How far do you agree with this view?

Occasion for: The Balkan crisis of 1914 may not have led to a general European war if not for the two rival power blocs that divided Europe. Indeed, previous Balkan conflicts such as the Bosnian crisis of 1908-09 and Balkan wars of 1912-1913 had not led to a general European war. In fact, in those circumstances the less war-ready nations of Europe had helped prevent a larger war through their alliances to the less powerful Balkan nations. Cause of: Germany’s ‘Blank Cheque’ to Austria-Hungary guaranteed German support in any case. This gave Austria-Hungary the confidence to create a harsh ultimatum to Serbia following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This ultimatum would spark the war and put the power blocs of Europe into effect. If the July Crisis had not happened, Austria-Hungary would have no grounds upon which to pressure Serbia. Conclusion: Previous crises and the acts of individuals such as Kaiser Wilhelm pushed Europe into two power blocs gearing for war prior to 1914, thus any event within Europe in that year could’ve been the powder keg that would start WW1, it is only with these tensions pre established that the July Crisis of 1914 bears any resemblance to the start of WW1.