The Causes of World War One
World War One began in 1914 due to a mix of alliances, militarism, imperial rivalry and nationalism, triggered by an assassination.
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World War One began in 1914 due to a mix of alliances, militarism, imperial rivalry and nationalism, triggered by an assassination.
- Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated
- Alliances dragged nations in
- The arms race increased tension
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Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is The Causes of World War One?
Within History, which covers ancient civilisations, empires, revolutions, world wars and the making of the modern world, this topic explains The Causes of World War One. History topics connect events, people and ideas across time, so each one here gives a clear summary and a way to test your understanding.
Check that you can explain The Causes of World War One in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding The Causes of World War One helps you explain change over time and judge why events happened, which is the core skill in history essays.
The Causes of World War One in detail
Several long-term causes created tension in Europe, summarised as MAIN: Militarism (the arms race and large armies, especially the Anglo-German naval race), Alliances (the Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia, against the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy), Imperialism (competition over colonies) and Nationalism (especially in the Balkans).
The spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip. Austria declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilised, Germany declared war on Russia and France, and invaded Belgium, which brought Britain in. The Schlieffen Plan and the alliance system turned a local crisis into a world war.
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Frequently asked questions about The Causes of World War One
What is The Causes of World War One?
World War One began in 1914 due to a mix of alliances, militarism, imperial rivalry and nationalism, triggered by an assassination.
What are the most important points about The Causes of World War One?
The main points are: Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated; Alliances dragged nations in; The arms race increased tension.
Why is The Causes of World War One useful?
Understanding The Causes of World War One helps you explain change over time and judge why events happened, which is the core skill in history essays.
How can I practise The Causes of World War One?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to The Causes of World War One?
Related topics in History include The Treaty of Versailles, The Rise of Fascism, World War Two: Key Events.