The Main Causes Of World War I

What would be the causes that would lead to a World War? Such causes has lead to a a world war, and the countries involved were France, Russia, Italy, United States, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Before the war, in the 1900s, there were efforts to try to lead toward peace throughout Europe, but instead tensions grew within these countries. There were many causes for World War I, and theses causes are militarism, nationalism, and the assassination in Sarajevo.

A underlying cause of World War I would be militarism of the European countries.

European countries began to build up their militaries for preparation for any action that could take place. “The glorification of the military grew out of Social Darwinism. The use of the military

Within Europe, countries continued to have pride in their country, and countries believed they needed to protect it. “Russia was Pan-slavism and believed it had a responsibility to protect Slavic nations”(Adelblue “Nationalism”). Russia believed all slavic people shared common ancestry, so they sought out to protect other other Slavic nations around them. Other European nations had difficulties rebuilding and sustaining their reputation or pride in their country after a lost of a major war, rebellions or fighting among themselves. “France longed to regain its position as Europe's leading power. French… bitter about their 1871 defeat…Patriotic French Citizens yearned for revenge…”(Ellis, Esler 376). Countries such as France longed to get revenge for what the war, they lost against Prussia. This war made them look weak after being known as one of the stronger forces in Europe. So France yearned to get their pride back. The build-up for pride in a country leads them to be more protective over

Austria Hungary ruled over Bosnia, and many Serbs living in Bosnia were angry with archduke Francis Ferdinand with visiting Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia. The day of the visit angered the people because they viewed them as oppressors. It was also the day they were conquered, and the day they gained their independence. A Serbian terrorist group known as the black hand, decided to assassinate him. “His government in Vienna, however, saw the incident as an excuse to crush Serbia for good” (Ellis, Esler 381). Once the incident occurred, Austria Hungary was not happy. The government determined that the proper response was to invade and crush Serbia The emperor at the time Franz Josef wanted to avoid war, but still get justice for his nephew's death. “Austria sent Serbia an ultimatum, but Serbia did not agree to all the terms. This gave reason for them to declare war on Serbia”(Adelblue “The Conflicts Heat Up”). To get justice without a war, Austria Hungary set-up an ultimatum that was a set of non negotiable demands. The demands were that Serbia had to end all aggressions toward them, punish any Serbian officials who were involved and to let Austria set-up a investigation within Serbia. Since Serbia did not meet all the demands, Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. After the assassination of the Archduke, Austria Hungary sent Serbia an ultimatum which they did not meet all the demands, so Austria declared war on