Final answer:
The causes of World War I include Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism, which led to heightened tensions and an arms race. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand set off a chain reaction of alliances that escalated into a global conflict. The war had a profound effect on the global order, the lives of citizens, and it continues to influence foreign policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors and Events Leading to World War I
The causes of World War I are diverse and complex, involving a combination of long-term and short-term factors. The long-term causes can be remembered using the acronym MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. In the years preceding the war, these elements contributed to tensions that simmered beneath the surface of European politics.
Militarism led to an arms race among the great powers, creating a culture of fear and readiness for war. The complex web of Alliances, particularly between the major powers of Europe, created a scenario where a conflict between two countries could escalate into a full-scale war. Imperialism fueled competition for colonies and resources, exacerbating national rivalries. Nationalism acted as a divisive force, particularly in multi-ethnic empires, and fostered a sense of aggression and superiority.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist triggered a chain of events that, due to the existing alliances, led to a global conflict. This incident prompted Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, which then involved Russia, Germany, and eventually most of Europe and the world at large. World War I was indeed the first global war, employing new types of weaponry and deeply affecting the everyday lives of citizens, transforming societies, governments, and economies across the continents.
The tangled relationships of European rulers and the system of alliances contributed to instability rather than stability, and the alliances encouraged the outbreak of the war by binding countries to defend each other. The United States, while initially neutral, eventually favored the Allies in trade and took new powers during the war to manage the economy and society. The impact of World War I was substantial, including revolutions, changes in borders, and a profound legacy that continues to influence foreign policy issues today.