Causes of WWI

The heir to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, is assassinated by the Black Hand, a Serbian secret society committed to ridding Serbia of Austrian rule.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Bismarck, the Chancellor of Germany, tries to isolate France with a treaty with Austria-Hungry.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Fourteen European countries meet at the Berlin Conference in 1884-85 to devise rules to divide Africa amongst themselves.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Germany secretly gives Austria-Hungary assurance that they would come to their aid no matter what if attacked. This is called the “blank check.”

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Kaiser Wilhelm II, the ruler of Germany, declares, “I and the army were born for one another.”

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Between 1870 and 1914, European nations increase their spending 400 percent to build up military strength in the arms race.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

There is a growing need for raw materials and markets to sell the goods being produced in factories. 

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

France has never gotten over losing Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

Italy and Germany states unify under a central government after centuries of being a collection of small independent ones.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism

European nations develop mobilization plans for the military to be ready quickly, as many felt war was coming.

• Militarism
• Alliances
• Imperialism
• Nationalism