By Martin Kelly , American History Expert
World War 1 occurred between July 1914 and
November 11, 1918. By the end of the war, over
17 million people would be killed including over
100,000 American troops. The reason why war
erupted is actually much more complicated than a
simple list of causes. While there was a chain of
events that directly led to the fighting, the actual
root causes are much deeper and part of
continued debate and discussion. This list is an
overview of the most popular reasons that are
cited as the root causes of World War 1.
1. Mutual Defense Alliances
FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Over time, countries throughout Europe made
mutual defense agreements that would pull them
into battle. These treaties meant that if one
country was attacked, allied countries were bound
to defend them. Before World War 1, the following
alliances existed:
•Russia and Serbia
•Germany and Austria-Hungary
•France and Russia
•Britain and France and Belgium
•Japan and Britain
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia
got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing
Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France
was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-
Hungary. Germany attacked France through
Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan
entered the war. Later, Italy and the United States
would enter on the side of the allies.
Continue Reading Below
2. Imperialism
Imperialism is when a country increases their
power and wealth by bringing additional territories
under their control. Before World War 1, Africa
and parts of Asia were points of contention
amongst the European countries. This was
especially true because of the raw materials these
areas could provide. The increasing competition
and desire for greater empires led to an increase
in confrontation that helped push the world into
World War I.
3. Militarism
As the world entered the 20th century, an arms
race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the
greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain
and Germany both greatly increased their navies
in this time period. Further, in Germany and
Russia particularly, the military establishment
began to have a greater influence on public
policy. This increase in militarism helped push the
countries involved to war.
Continue Reading Below
4. Nationalism
Much of the origin of the war was based on the
desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and
Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria
Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. In this
way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a
more general way, the nationalism of the various
countries throughout Europe contributed not only
to the beginning but the extension of the war in
Europe. Each country tried to prove their
dominance and power.
5. Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand
Image of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The immediate cause of World War I that made
the aforementioned items come into play
(alliances, imperialism, militarism, nationalism)
was the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, a
Serbian-nationalist terrorist group called the Black
Hand sent groups to assassinate the Archduke.
Their first attempt failed when a driver avoided a
grenade thrown at their car. However, later that
day a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip
assassinated him and his wife while they were in
Sarajevo, Bosnia which was part of Austria-
Hungary. This was in protest to Austria-Hungary
having control of this region. Serbia wanted to
take over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This
assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring
war on Serbia. When Russia began to mobilize
due to its alliance with Serbia, Germany declared
war on Russia. Thus began the expansion of the
war to include all those involved in the mutual
defense alliances.
World War 1 occurred between July 1914 and
November 11, 1918. By the end of the war, over
17 million people would be killed including over
100,000 American troops. The reason why war
erupted is actually much more complicated than a
simple list of causes. While there was a chain of
events that directly led to the fighting, the actual
root causes are much deeper and part of
continued debate and discussion. This list is an
overview of the most popular reasons that are
cited as the root causes of World War 1.
1. Mutual Defense Alliances
FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Over time, countries throughout Europe made
mutual defense agreements that would pull them
into battle. These treaties meant that if one
country was attacked, allied countries were bound
to defend them. Before World War 1, the following
alliances existed:
•Russia and Serbia
•Germany and Austria-Hungary
•France and Russia
•Britain and France and Belgium
•Japan and Britain
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia
got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing
Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France
was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-
Hungary. Germany attacked France through
Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan
entered the war. Later, Italy and the United States
would enter on the side of the allies.
Continue Reading Below
2. Imperialism
Imperialism is when a country increases their
power and wealth by bringing additional territories
under their control. Before World War 1, Africa
and parts of Asia were points of contention
amongst the European countries. This was
especially true because of the raw materials these
areas could provide. The increasing competition
and desire for greater empires led to an increase
in confrontation that helped push the world into
World War I.
3. Militarism
As the world entered the 20th century, an arms
race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the
greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain
and Germany both greatly increased their navies
in this time period. Further, in Germany and
Russia particularly, the military establishment
began to have a greater influence on public
policy. This increase in militarism helped push the
countries involved to war.
Continue Reading Below
4. Nationalism
Much of the origin of the war was based on the
desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and
Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria
Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. In this
way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a
more general way, the nationalism of the various
countries throughout Europe contributed not only
to the beginning but the extension of the war in
Europe. Each country tried to prove their
dominance and power.
5. Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand
Image of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The immediate cause of World War I that made
the aforementioned items come into play
(alliances, imperialism, militarism, nationalism)
was the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, a
Serbian-nationalist terrorist group called the Black
Hand sent groups to assassinate the Archduke.
Their first attempt failed when a driver avoided a
grenade thrown at their car. However, later that
day a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip
assassinated him and his wife while they were in
Sarajevo, Bosnia which was part of Austria-
Hungary. This was in protest to Austria-Hungary
having control of this region. Serbia wanted to
take over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This
assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring
war on Serbia. When Russia began to mobilize
due to its alliance with Serbia, Germany declared
war on Russia. Thus began the expansion of the
war to include all those involved in the mutual
defense alliances.
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