Causes of World War I Background Information
World War I did not start for one particular reason. People often say that it began with the assassination of Austria-Hungary’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist group, which is true, but is not the only reason. This assassination caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, beginning a war that would turn into WWI. This was not the only cause though, in fact, this event was just the catalyst (event that started things) the European countries needed to fight a war which was just waiting to happen.
In Europe, the conditions were just right for a world war to begin; they just needed the right push. During the early 1900’s European defense agreements were being made across the continent. These agreements said that if one country was attacked or had war declared on them, another country would come and help them. Below is a list of some of the main defense agreements:
Serbia and Russia
Austria-Hungary and Germany
Russia and France
France, Belgium, and Britain
Britain and Japan
After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia these defense pacts started to go into action. Russia joined, causing Germany to get involved, which brought France into the war, and so on. This turned a war between two countries over an assassination, into a war that involved multiple countries spread over multiple continents.
Another cause of WWI had to do with the mentally of the countries in Europe. Many of the countries in Europe had a feeling of nationalism, which is a feeling that your country is the best, along with the desire to prove this to everyone else. When the war began, the defense agreements brought multiple countries into the war, but the feelings of nationalism helped keep everyone fighting and trying to prove they are the strongest.
The idea of militarism is another cause of WWI. This is the belief that a country should build and keep a strong military (army, navy, etc.). As a result of militarism, when countries started declaring war on each other, most of these countries already had a strong military just waiting to be used. Not only was the military read to go, the governments and citizens of the country wanted to use it and show their power.
A final thought process which led to WWI was that of imperialism. This idea of imperialism, which is a belief a country should extend their power and influence through diplomacy or force, already had countries looking for ways to increase their influence. Prior to WWI starting, countries in Europe were trying to expand their lands in Africa and Asia, due to their imperialist mindsets, which were causing tension in the region. WWI was just the event these countries needed to spread their influence, increase their power, and fulfill their imperialistic ideas.

Fill-In-The-Blank
Use the information provided about World War I to fill in the blank in each sentence.
Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist group, which essentially started World War I

Defense agreements said that if one country was or had war declared on them, the other country would come to help.

is a feeling that your country is the best

Militarism involves countries building and keeping a strong , which made countries read to fight when WWI started.
A final thought process which led to WWI was that of imperialism. This idea of imperialism, which is a belief a country should extend their power and influence through diplomacy or force, already had countries looking for ways to increase their influence. Prior to WWI starting, countries in Europe were trying to expand their lands in Africa and Asia, due to their imperialist mindsets, which were causing tension in the region. WWI was just the event these countries needed to spread their influence, increase their power, and fulfill their imperialistic ideas.

Fill-In-The-Blank
Use the information provided about World War I to fill in the blank in each sentence.
Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist group, which essentially started World War I

Defense agreements said that if one country was or had war declared on them, the other country would come to help.

is a feeling that your country is the best

Militarism involves countries building and keeping a strong , which made countries read to fight when WWI started.