World War One: The Main Causes Of World War I

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In 1914 one of the most important wars in history broke out. The spark that set off World War One was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia by a Serbian nationalist/terrorist. He was assassinated on June 28, 1914. The main causes of Europe leading to this war actually stand for the word M.A.I.N the causes are Alliances, Militarism, Imperialism, and Nationalism. These four things made such an impact of going to war. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand caused a system of alliances to kick in, and all the major powers of Europe divided into two camps, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. His assassination was the main cause of World War One. One of the causes of World War One was the Alliances. These were settlements or oaths to defend and help other countries. It was a thought that alliances would calm things down and make peace, and in case of war others would protect each other, so it would be harder to fight with that country. In 1914 the most powerful countries in Europe were divided into opposite Alliances, The Triple Alliance and the Central Powers or the Triple Entente. The Triple Alliance was made up of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. The Triple Entente was made up of Britain, France and Russia. European Alliances had a major part of being in the war. These two powers were very worried about being attacked after all of the tension from Nationalism, Imperialism and Militarism. To make sure these countries weren’t attacked and defeated these alliances were formed. Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance but they made it secretly in 1879, after this happened Italy joined this Dual Alliance to form the Triple Alliance because it was annoyed with France for stopping its plans to col...

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...y true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War One. By 1900 the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa. With the rise of industrialism countries needed new markets. The amount of lands 'owned' by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany who had entered the scramble to acquire colonies late and only had small areas of Africa. In conclusion the four M.A.I.N causes of World War One are stated right in the word. (Militarism, Alliances Imperialism, and Nationalism). Even though the assassination really started the whole war and was the first cause these four topics were causes that led to the conditions that brought Europe to the brink of the war.

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