Question

MAIN Long Term & Immediate Causes of WWI

Directions: While one single event sparked World War I, many long term causes had been building for years. This video explains the long-term causes of the war. Below each title, explain how that cause led to a world war. Then find a picture of the immediate cause of WW I and explain how that sparked the start of the war in the box.

Answer 1

The long-term causes of World War I encompass Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate cause that sparked the war, leading to a swift mobilization of nations' armies and the outbreak of conflict which soon transitioned into trench warfare.

Step-by-step explanation:

Main Long Term Causes of WWI

The long-term causes of World War I can be remembered by the acronym MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. Militarism refers to the arms race and the build-up of armies and navies that created a sense of fear and the need for preparedness amongst countries. Alliances between major powers created a complex network that could quickly escalate a conflict into a full-blown world war. Imperialism, particularly in Africa, heightened tensions as countries competed for colonies and resources. Nationalism led to conflicts as ethnic groups sought self-determination or countries, as a whole, strove to assert themselves.

The "Spark"

The immediate cause, or "spark," that ignited World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event set off a chain reaction, invoking alliances and mobilizing armies. Within weeks, the major powers were at war.

The First Few Months of World War I

The first few months of the war included rapid movement and battles, known as the 'war of movement.' As armies mobilized, Germany implemented the Schlieffen Plan intending to quickly defeat France before turning to Russia. However, the Battle of the Marne and the subsequent 'Race to the Sea' led to a deadlock and the start of trench warfare which would characterize much of the Great War.

Answer 2

Some of the long-term causes of World War I include

1. the alliance system - as nations formed alliances with each other, wars expanded from regional to global conflicts.
2. imperialism - increased competition for colonial lands and resources led to increasingly strained relations between nations.
3. arms race - tensions increased as states threatened to build up their armaments against their opponents.
4. domestic political problems - political instability and the rise of socialists triggered the war.

And the immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of the Austrian Crown Prince and Princess in Serbia on June 28, 1914. Austria declared war on Serbia, and the war began when the allies intervened.