The CAUSES of World War I, Explained [AP World History Review—Unit 7 Topic 2]

Causes of World War I

Militarism

• The first main cause of World War I is militarism, which is the belief that states should build strong militaries and use them aggressively to protect their interests.

• Industrial manufacturing advancements allowed countries to produce military weapons at an unprecedented pace, making them deadlier than ever before.

• Germany's rapid industrialization and military buildup in the early 20th century led it to possess one of the most powerful militaries in Europe, causing concern for neighboring countries like France.

• Great Britain's extensive empire required a large military; however, its commitment to militarism drained national resources more than Germany's approach did.

International Alliances

• The second cause was a system of international alliances, primarily the Triple Alliance (Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).

• These alliances were formed for national security and aimed at isolating rival states but also included elaborate military mobilization plans in case of war.

• Mobilization plans necessitated precise railroad operations across nations; once initiated, stopping mobilization would lead to chaos.

Imperialism

• The third cause was imperialism characterized by intense competition among European powers for colonial expansion and dominance on the world stage.

• Germany sought to expand its empire at the expense of other nations due to its newfound national unity and military strength.

• As territories became scarce for conquest, conflicts over existing colonies arose among European powers leading to further tensions.

Nationalism

• The fourth cause was nationalism which emphasized pride in one's nation while viewing others as enemies; this sentiment intensified from the 19th century into WWI.

• Nationalistic fervor convinced people that their identities were under threat from rival states, leading them to favor conflict over compromise when disputes arose.

• A notable example includes how nationalism influenced perceptions around conflicts involving Serbia and Austria-Hungary.

Spark Leading to War

• All four causes combined created a volatile situation ready for conflict; a small spark ignited this tension: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip.