Causes of World War One

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Why was there a world war?

Introduction

World War 1 was a major conflict between July 28th 1914 and November 11th 1918. Nations from across Europe and the world such as Russia, Britain, France, Germany and Austria –Hungary were involved. From this war there was a death of over eight million people.

The heir to the throne, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian national. This event was to kick off the First World War, but was only a trigger in why it came about.  Causes of the war also dealt with Nationalism, Imperialism, and militarism along with the prominent alliance systems in Europe all strongly affected the outbreak of the war.

Alliances

Prior to 1914, the nations of Europe had been making alliances for twenty years. It was thought the alliances would bring peace and were needed when a country believed that the enemy is too strong for them, so they would call upon their allies for aid.

Each country would protect each other if a war broke out, Making it stupid for one country to have war with another.
The bad thing of these alliances was that an argument between two countries could bring all the other countries into one war. Before World War 1, the following alliances existed:

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  • Russia and Serbia
  • Germany and Austria-Hungary
  • France and Russia
  • Britain and France and Belgium
  • Japan and Britain

Unfortunately World War 1 broke out because Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia then got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan entered the war. Later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the allies.

Imperialism

Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth ...

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