Long Term Causes of the First World War

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Long Term Causes of the First World War

There were several long term causes leading up to the First World War, but they can be divided into three categories: Growing Tension, The Arms Race and The Alliance System.

The first of these to occur was the growing tension, and it remained throughout the whole period of the war. It also triggered the rest of the main long term causes.

There were several factors which created that growing tension. One of the main triggers was Germany having a great desire for a higher prestige, and strong levels of nationalism. This made the rest of the world extremely worried and cautious, and as there was already a great tension in Europe, this meant that there was a desperate air of apprehension in people, constantly wondering over the start of revolution, war and the total carnage which would occur. Also, Kaiser Wilhelm II’s character created a great deal of suspicion and hostility from countries such as Great Britain and France. This was shown in many ways, including that constant battle of the possession of Morocco by France and Germany.

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The next factor prompting the war is another example of this enmity between countries. Germany started to rise up to Europe’s fears, and invaded several other countries in order to raise its army size. This was the beginning of the preparation to war, called the Arms Race. In response to Germany’s actions, Great Britain and France drastically increased the size of its Navy and Army. There was then an Arms Race between Germany and Great Britain to build a battleship far stronger and more powerful than there had ever been before. At this point, Europe realised that it was ...

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