Overview of World War I's Causes
World War I (1914-1918) was triggered by a complex web of factors, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in June 1914 acted as the immediate spark, but underlying tensions had been building for decades. European powers had formed rigid alliances, such as the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy), turning a regional Balkan conflict into a global war.
Key Causes: Militarism and Imperial Rivalries
Militarism fueled an arms race, with nations like Germany and Britain expanding navies and armies, creating a powder keg. Imperialism exacerbated rivalries as European powers competed for colonies in Africa and Asia, leading to diplomatic flashpoints like the Moroccan Crises. Nationalism, especially in the Balkans, promoted ethnic tensions within multi-ethnic empires like Austria-Hungary, while economic competition for resources intensified global divisions.
Practical Example: The July Crisis
A clear example is the July Crisis of 1914. After the assassination, Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. Russia's mobilization to support Serbia activated alliance chains, drawing in France and Britain when Germany invaded Belgium. This domino effect illustrates how interconnected alliances turned a local dispute into worldwide conflict, involving over 30 nations and reshaping battle lines from Europe to colonies in Africa and Asia.
Effects on Global Politics
The war's aftermath redrew the world map, dismantling empires like the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, German, and Russian, and birthing new nations such as Poland and Yugoslavia. The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, sowing seeds for World War II, while the League of Nations emerged as a flawed attempt at collective security. It shifted power to the U.S. as a global player, weakened Europe, and accelerated decolonization movements, fundamentally altering international diplomacy and fostering ideologies like communism and fascism.