A build-up of military rivalry occurred among European powers before World War 1 broke out. Nationalism encouraged public support for military build-ups and for a country's use of force to achieve its goals. By the late 1800s, Germany had the best trained army in the world. In 1898 Germany began developing a naval force that was big enough to challenge the British navy. In 1906, the British navy launched the Dreadnought, the first modern battleship. The Dreadnought had greater firepower that any other ship of its time. Germany rushed to construct one that was able to match its firepower. Advances in technology helped aid in making military forces stronger. Machine guns and other new arms fired more accurately and more rapidly that earlier weapons. By the end of the 1800's, technology enabled countries to fight longer and bear greater losses that ever before.
A system of military alliances gave European powers a sense of security before World War 1. They formed these alliances with each other for protection and guarantee that other members of the alliance would come to the country's aid if attacked. Although alliances provided protection, the system also created certain dangers. If war came, the alliance system meant that a number of nations would fight, not only the two involved in a dispute. Alliances could force a country to go to war against a nation it had no quarrel with. In addition, the terms of many alliances were kept secret. The secrecy also increased the chances that a county might guess wrong about the consequeneces of its actions. The Triple Alliance was made up of 3 countries, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. They all agreed to go to war if attacked by Russia. Bismarck also brought Austria-Hungary and Germany into alliance with Russia. The agreement was known as the Three Emperor's League and was formed in 1881. They all agreed to remain neutral if any of them went to war with another country. In 1890 when Bismarck left office it gave a chance for Russia and France to form an alliance. In 1894, France and Russia agreed to call up troops if any naiton in the Triple Alliance mobilized. Russia and France also agreed to help eachother if either were attacked be Germany.
On June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand visited the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia. This was considered to be one of the biggest mistakes. The day June 28 was the significant day for the Serbians when they lost their independence for the first time. This arose the feeling of nationalism within the heart of the Serbians. was assassinated by a Serbian terrorist named Gavrilo Princip. The Archduke's assassination triggered the outbreak of World War 1. On July 28 Austria-Hungary declard war on Serbia. Because of Austria-Hungary's alliance with Germany, Serbia seeked help from Russia. In 1914 Russia vowed to stand behind Serbia, but first Russia gained support from France. Germany declared war on Russia on Aug. 1, 1914, in response to Russias mobilization. Two days later Germany declared war on France. The German Army swept into Belgium on its way to France. The invasion of Belgium caused Britian to declare war on Germany on Aug. 4 creating a world crisis.
