You are going to understand the various causes that led to World War I by reading Chapter 14 in the text, reading supplementary material in the module, and viewing videos. You are now going to write an assignment in which you will describe the major causes of World War I by using text, supplementary material and video information. This will allow you to much better understand the forces at at work that were responsible for the coming of World War I.
The various causes that led to World War I
Full Answer Section
The Underlying Causes
While the assassination served as the spark, several underlying factors contributed to the outbreak of the war:
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Militarism:
- A widespread arms race among European powers led to the buildup of massive armies and navies.
- The belief in the efficacy of military power and the glorification of war contributed to a tense and aggressive atmosphere.
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Alliance System:
- The complex system of alliances between European powers created a rigid and inflexible framework.
- A conflict between any two powers could quickly escalate into a general war, as alliances were triggered and drawn into the conflict.
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Imperialism and Colonial Rivalry:
- Competition for colonies and spheres of influence in Africa and Asia heightened tensions between European powers.
- Economic rivalry and nationalist aspirations exacerbated these tensions.
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Nationalism:
- Strong nationalist sentiments fueled a sense of national pride and unity.
- However, these same nationalist feelings also contributed to animosity and rivalry between nations.
The combination of these factors created a powder keg that could be ignited by any spark. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided that spark, leading to a catastrophic war that would reshape the global landscape
Sample Answer
The Spark that Ignited the Great War
The outbreak of World War I in 1914 was the culmination of a complex interplay of factors that had been brewing for decades. A series of interconnected events and underlying tensions ultimately led to a global conflict of unprecedented scale and devastation.
The Spark: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The immediate catalyst for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event ignited a chain reaction of diplomatic crises, as Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued an ultimatum with harsh demands. When Serbia rejected certain demands, Austria-Hungary declared war, drawing its allies, Germany and Italy, into the conflict.