MAIN Causes of World War I Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What were the MAIN causes of WWI?

Imperialism (correct)

Alliances (correct)

Nationalism (correct)

Militarism (correct)

What is militarism?

Militarism is when a country's military becomes stronger due to an increase in its military power, leading to an arms race.

How did militarism lead to WWI?

Countries became more involved in military policies, creating tensions between nations.

What role did alliances play in the lead-up to WWI?

Alliances pulled countries into battle due to mutual defense agreements. Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were part of the alliances before WWI?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is imperialism?

Imperialism is when a country increases its power and wealth by bringing additional territories under its control. Signup and view all the answers

How did imperialism lead to WWI?

Tensions grew as countries competed for power and resources, leading to conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

What is nationalism?

Nationalism is loyalty to one's nation, often to the point of desiring independence or dominance. Signup and view all the answers

How did nationalism lead to WWI?

Nationalism led to tensions due to countries asserting dominance over one another. Signup and view all the answers

What was the major cause that started WWI?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Signup and view all the answers

What was the immediate cause of World War I?

The immediate cause was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

MAIN Causes of World War I

Causes identified as Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

Militarism

Involves the strengthening of a country's military power resulting in an arms race.
Heightened military involvement in public policy increased tensions among nations.
By 1914, Germany experienced the greatest military expansion, prompting naval buildups between Germany and Great Britain.
Militarism directly influenced countries to prepare for war.

Alliances

European nations formed mutual defense agreements, leading to complex military entanglements.
Key alliances included:
- Russia with Serbia
- Germany with Austria-Hungary
- France with Russia
- Ottoman Empire with Bulgaria
- Britain with France and Belgium
- Japan with Britain
Austria-Hungary's war declaration against Serbia triggered a domino effect due to alliances, pulling multiple countries into conflict.

Imperialism

Represents a country's expansion by acquiring control over additional territories, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Competition for resources fueled tensions among European powers, contributing to the outbreak of war.
Desire for greater empires and associated raw materials intensified confrontations.

Nationalism

Loyalty to one's nation emphasized shared history and culture among populations.
Nationalist desires led to tensions, particularly among Slavic peoples in Austria-Hungary seeking independence.
Competition for dominance among nations fueled both the start and escalation of the war.

Immediate Cause

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914 acted as the catalyst for WWI.
The assassination occurred in Sarajevo, Bosnia, as a protest against Austria-Hungary's control of the region.
This incident initiated a chain reaction: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, prompting Russia's mobilization and leading Germany to declare war on Russia, expanding the conflict further.

Description

This quiz explores the MAIN causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. Flashcards provide definitions and key insights into how these factors contributed to the onset of the war. Test your knowledge on these critical historical concepts!