Causes of World War I

Introduction

• Focus on the four main causes of World War I.
  1. Militarism
  2. Alliances
  3. Imperialism
  4. Nationalism

1. Militarism

• Belief in building strong militaries for aggressive protection of interests.
• Industrial manufacturing led to rapid military weapon production.
• Germany's unification and industrialization resulted in a powerful military.
• France's military was weak compared to Germany, causing tension.
• Britain's military was strong but resource-draining.

2. Alliances

• Early 20th century Europe had two major alliances:
  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austro-Hungarian Empire.
  • Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia.
• Alliances aimed at national security and isolating rivals.
• Elaborate military mobilization plans were created, making halting mobilization difficult without chaos.

3. Imperialism

• Imperial expansion was driven by a desire to project power.
• Competition for territory led to conflict among European powers.
• Germany sought to expand its empire, challenging other powers.
• Conflicts over colonial holdings contributed to the alliance system.

4. Nationalism

• Continued from the 19th century, emphasizing national glory and enemy states.
• Nationalistic messages spread through schools, military, and media.
• National identities were seen as threatened, fueling conflicts.
• Nationalism demanded conflicts be met with force, not compromise.

Spark of World War I

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Prip.
• Nationalism fueled the assassination and the Austro-Hungarian response.
• Alliances activated, escalating the conflict into World War I.

Conclusion

• The combination of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism created a volatile environment.
• Assassination was the spark that ignited the war.
• Further exploration of World War I's developments will be covered in subsequent content.