Final answer:
World War I was caused by a combination of immediate and long-term factors, including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (immediate cause) and the 'MAIN' elements: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism (long-term causes).
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of World War I
The causes of World War I can be categorized into immediate and long-term factors. The most immediate cause was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist, which set off a chain reaction among the major powers. Long-term causes can be remembered using the acronym 'MAIN,' which stands for Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.
Militarism
Expanding military power and maintaining a standing army created an arms race and heightened tensions between nations. Countries invested heavily in their military capabilities, which led them to be more willing to resolve disputes through warfare rather than diplomacy.
Alliances
By the early 20th century, Europe was divided into two major alliance systems: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Great Britain). The alliance system meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly involve their allies, turning a bilateral conflict into a World war.
Imperialism
The scramble for colonies, especially in Africa following the Berlin Conference of 1885, led to conflicts over territories and economic dominance, creating rivalries among the European powers.
Nationalism
A strong sense of national pride and desire for autonomy fueled tensions, especially in regions like the Balkans where nationalist sentiments were particularly intense.
The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the spark that ignited World War I, but the long-term causes had been brewing for decades.