Causes of World War I
1. Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - The immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. A Serbian nationalist assassinated him and his wife in June 1914 while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia. This was to protest to Austria-Hungary having control of this area. This assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. When Russia got involved to help Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia. That got everyone involved that was part of the defense alliances.
2. Mutual Defense Alliances - Countries in Europe made defense agreements that would pull them into battle. So if one country was attacked the countries that were their ally would help them defend their country. Before World War 1, the following alliances existed:
4. Militarism - government maintains a strong military force to protect national interests.
5. Nationalism - pride in your country. Devotion to the interests and culture of a nation.
2. Mutual Defense Alliances - Countries in Europe made defense agreements that would pull them into battle. So if one country was attacked the countries that were their ally would help them defend their country. Before World War 1, the following alliances existed:
- Russia and Serbia
- Germany and Austria-Hungary
- France and Russia
- Britain and France and Belgium
- Japan and Britain
4. Militarism - government maintains a strong military force to protect national interests.
5. Nationalism - pride in your country. Devotion to the interests and culture of a nation.