Assess the relative importance of the long term and short term causes of the First World War

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Assess the relative importance of the long term and short term causes of the First World War

Many factors leading up to the World War in 1914 can be studied. The main issues are the significance of the European alliance system, the Balkans crises' and general tensions between the Great Powers that lead to the general outbreak of war caused by nationalism, militarism and imperialism. An analysis into the importance of each shall be judged, in order to draw what were the main causes, in long term and short term that lead to the world's first global conflict.

The Alliance System at the beginning of the 20th Century can be seen as a long term cause for war. Nationalism played part in that powers felt more security with allies, just in case of an event of conflict. Countries were obliged to support each other in joining the war through complicated alliance links, explaining why the war escalated to a world war as it did. It stemmed from the breakdown of the complex Bismarkian alliance system. For example, the failure for Germany to renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia pushed Russia and France to seek friendship from their isolated