Main Causes: Military buildup, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
1. Militarism
Definition: The belief that countries should maintain a strong military and be willing to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Impact: Increased arms races among nations, particularly in Europe, which fueled tensions and made war more likely.
2. Alliances
Definition: Agreements between two or more countries to support and defend each other, especially during conflicts.
Key Alliances:
The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
The Triple Entente: France, Russia, Great Britain
Impact: Alliances created a sense of security for member countries but also dragged them into conflicts due to obligations to defend each other.
3. Imperialism
Definition: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or military force.
Impact: Competition for overseas colonies among European powers heightened rivalries and conflicts, contributing to the overall tensions in Europe.
4. Nationalism
Definition: Strong identification with and pride in one’s nation, often leading to the desire for independence among nations or ethnic groups.
Impact: Nationalistic fervor can lead to aggressive foreign policies and conflicts between nations or ethnic groups, as seen in various regions of Europe and beyond.
5. Assassination
Event: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, triggered a chain reaction of events leading to the war.
Impact: This event activated alliances and escalated the tensions that had been building due to militarism, imperialism, and nationalism.