Learn: The Causes of World War One

Welcome!Today we'll learn about the causes of World War One, focusing on the factors that led to the outbreak of this global conflict. Let's break it down step by step!

What were the causes of World War One?World War One was caused by a combination of long-term tensions and short-term events. The main long-term causes were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism (commonly remembered as MAIN).

MilitarismMilitarism refers to the belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war. Countries like Germany and Britain competed in an arms race, especially with their navies. This increased tension and suspicion between nations.

AlliancesAlliances are agreements between nations to support one another in case of war. By 1914, Europe was divided into two major alliance systems: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia). Alliances created a sense of security but also increased the risk of a larger conflict.

ImperialismImperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonisation or military force. European powers competed for colonies, especially in Africa and Asia, leading to rivalries and mistrust.

NationalismNationalism is a strong sense of pride and loyalty to one's nation. It often led to tensions, as countries like Serbia wanted independence for all Slavic people, which threatened Austria-Hungary's control over the Balkans.

The Assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandOn 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. This event was the immediate trigger of World War One, as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to a chain reaction due to alliances.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the causes of World War One, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.