The causes of World War I were the long term results of militarism, the alliance systems, imperialism and nationalism. Militarism is the belief or desire in maintaining a strong military to defend or promote a nation's interest. European nations had been expanding the size of their military, navy and stocking up on military arms. For instance, between 1906 and 1914, Germany and Great Britain had a naval arms race building Dreadnought battleships; as a result, tension increased between the two nations making war more likely. Alliances are mutual agreements between countries to supply help to one another if needed. The alliance systems established before 1907 divided Europe into two different divisions; The Triple Entente and The Triple Alliance.
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Alliances were made due to the lack of trust between imperialist European nations. The two major alliances were The Triple Alliance, which consisted of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary and The Triple Entente, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia. The Triple Entente were later called, the Allies. Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire later joined to create what's called the Central Powers. The alliance system was even more complex due to secret treaties, for instance Russia would help Serbia if they were attacked by Austria-Hungary and Italy had a treaty with France stating they would remain neutral if France was attacked by Germany. Although the alliance system was confusing, it resulted in a national security due to nations not wanting to destroy the balance of power. However, in July of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austrian throne and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. On July 28, Austria-Hungary then declared war against Serbia, resulting in a whole chain reaction due to the Alliance systems. Since Germany was obligated to support Austria-Hungary due to their treaty, they declared war on Russia as well as France. Once Belgium was invaded by Germany, Britain declared war against Germany and Austria-Hungary. An excerpt from the treaty of the Triple Alliance states “If one, or two, of the High Contracting Parties, without direct provocation on their
Alliances were made due to the lack of trust between imperialist European nations. The two major alliances were The Triple Alliance, which consisted of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary and The Triple Entente, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia. The Triple Entente were later called, the Allies. Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire later joined to create what's called the Central Powers. The alliance system was even more complex due to secret treaties, for instance Russia would help Serbia if they were attacked by Austria-Hungary and Italy had a treaty with France stating they would remain neutral if France was attacked by Germany. Although the alliance system was confusing, it resulted in a national security due to nations not wanting to destroy the balance of power. However, in July of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austrian throne and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. On July 28, Austria-Hungary then declared war against Serbia, resulting in a whole chain reaction due to the Alliance systems. Since Germany was obligated to support Austria-Hungary due to their treaty, they declared war on Russia as well as France. Once Belgium was invaded by Germany, Britain declared war against Germany and Austria-Hungary. An excerpt from the treaty of the Triple Alliance states “If one, or two, of the High Contracting Parties, without direct provocation on their