WW1

What was the immediate cause of World War I?

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne) on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by a Bosnian-Serb nationalist.
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and, after receiving support from Germany, declared war.

What is Militarism and how did it contribute to World War I?

European powers had built large armies and navies.
Military planning (like Germany’s Schlieffen Plan) made war more likely.
There was a belief that war was inevitable and even desirable.

What were the main alliances in World War I and how did they contribute to the war?

Two major alliance systems:
Triple Entente: France, Russia, Britain
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (though Italy later switched sides)
These alliances meant that a small conflict could quickly involve many countries.

How did Imperialism contribute to World War I?

European powers competed fiercely for overseas colonies.
Tensions rose, especially between Britain and Germany in Africa and Asia.