I think so, but not really sure. Even if the archduke had not been assassinated, I think something else would have eventually sparked a semi-global confict

The Empires vere tense at the time and it would have happened sooner or later, if the Archduke wasnt killed by that lucky chance

IMO, no. We were taught otherwise in World History, but given the prevailing attitudes of the time I don't think so. Competition between the nations was too intense and all five of the "major powers" of Europe were itching for a war. As my teacher told me, "WWI was the avoidable war that nobody tried to avoid. WWII was the unavoidable that everyone tried to avoid." IMO it is the other way around, since France wanted that harsh peace of Germany so badly they needed to enforce them, keep a foot on their neck at all times and if they try something increase the pressure a little.

Your teacher is right. WWI came about because of the arms race between Britain and Germany - the Dreadnaught brought that to flame but it had been burning before that. The Kaiser longed to make Germany as great a naval power as Britain and Britain would have none of it. They couldn't allow Germany to have both the largest land army in Europe and be an equal player on the seas. Their entangling alliances snared all Europe into the meat grinder. All it needed was the spark at Sarajevo.

WWII, on the otherhand, was made inevitable by the victors at Versailles themselves. It was really a continuation of WWI in a sense and a direct result of the flawed peace of 1919 (when the Versailles Treaty was signed). The Washington Naval Treaties of the 1920s added to the burning embers and had much to do with Japan's role in WWII.

Of course greed, tyranny and evil took advantage of these lapses in judgement.

Rather like in WW2 Germany had built up a very large and efficient army and there treaties with Austria gave them the chance to bring them into play. France had also had treaties with other parties in that area which pledged them support, we had a treaty with France to support them. So the whole thing was like a pack of cards. Germany for many years was quite happy just being Germans, but later on they were looking to expand and wanted an Empire rather like Britain, but had found that it had all gone to other interested parties.

Quite correct, LeEnfield. Germany's lust for empire was largely spurred by having formed late in the 19th century (prior to that being a collection of kingdoms and principalities) long after the other European players had staked out their colonial claims. It was "keeping up with the Joneses" on a national level.

Ok, when people say that WWI was inevitable this is what I hear, "If things had been different 70, 50 or even 20 years before WWI started it might have been avoidable." But it still wasn't. Everyone in Europe wanted a fight, everyone in Europe was getting arming to the teeth and everybody hated each other. Technically, WWI was avoidable, but only if the plague came through and wiped everyone out first. It was going to happen sooner or later, everyone wanted this, especially since most nations thought it would be over in three months.

Not every one wanted to fight every one as suggest by Damien 435, Germany and Britain had been allies for a large number years and had fought many a European war as Allies. All the Royal Houses in Europe were related some how or other, there was not hatred as suggested. It was one of those unfortunate things that got out of hand. The problem arises that when you have built up a huge Army at a huge cost then some people will look to put that Army to use, and the only the only thing an Army is trained to do and that is to fight.

My grandparents were taught geopgraphy at school with maps that marked out the British empire - and this was in Australia. (These maps were still around in the 60s) The official toast, even after WW1, was made "King, England, Australia". It says someting about Australian priorities back then and the importance of "empire".

As others have pointed out, I think the prevailing influence at the time was this thought that the empire, who's ever empire it was, should prevail. When war did break out, it was greeted with enthusiasm rather than dread.

I guess that in that type of environment, war is inevitable.

wy1 one had to happen for the reasons that if wy1 hadn't happened wy2 wouldn't have either and that means that britain would be much more powerful than the usa. No offenst to you yanks but britain would still be the major world power if wy1 or wy2 hadn't happened. So just thank yourself that britain spent all its money in both wars. and if wy1 hadn't happened the united nations wouln't be around. but it was bound to happen and be greatfull it isn't happening now