Causes Of World War One

Question 1

Militarism

Answer 1

Definition: The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.
Details: European powers expanded their armies and navies, creating an arms
race. Germany and Britain competed in building powerful navies, while
continental powers like Germany, France, and Russia expanded their armies.

Question 2

Alliances

Answer 2

Definition: Agreements between countries to support each other in case of war.
Details: Two major alliances formed:
▪ Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
▪ Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain.
These alliances meant that any conflict involving one country could quickly involve others.

Question 3

Imperialism

Answer 3

Definition: The policy of extending a country’s power through colonization
and economic dominance.

Details: European powers competed for colonies and resources in Africa and
Asia. This competition created tensions and rivalries, particularly between
Britain, France, and Germany.

Question 4

Nationalism

Answer 4

Definition: A strong sense of pride and loyalty to one’s nation or ethnic group.

Details: Nationalist fervor was strong in Europe, with various ethnic groups seeking independence. Nationalism also fueled rivalries between major powers.

Question 5

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer 5

Date: June 28, 1914

Details: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, in Sarajevo.

Impact: This event triggered a series of diplomatic maneuvers and declarations of war, known as the July Crisis.

Question 6

The July Crisis

Answer 6

Timeline: Following the assassination, a chain reaction of events unfolded:

Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum: Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh demands.

Serbia’s Response: Serbia agreed to most but not all demands, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

Russian Mobilization: Russia, allied with Serbia, began to mobilize its forces.

Germany’s Actions: Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, and on France on August 3, 1914.

Invasion of Belgium: Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium led Britain to declare war on Germany on August 4, 1914.