Final answer:
The alliance system and the assassination played significant roles in the outbreak of World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The alliance system played a significant role in the outbreak of the war. The rise of Germany and its naval threat to England caused an alliance between England and France, which Germany saw as an encirclement. This led to the formation of two armed camps and increased tensions between the countries.
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the following ultimatum played a direct role in sparking the war. The assassination, carried out by a Serbian nationalist, triggered a series of events, including Austria issuing an ultimatum to Serbia. This resulted in a chain reaction of declarations of war, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I.
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