There were 4 key long term causes of World War I:

Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism

Militarism

Militarism is building up armed forces and preparing for war. Germany and Britain were both competing to build up their navies by building the new type of battle ship, the Dreadnought. Germany, France and Russia all built up their armies. Germany had 5 million soldiers by 1914, France 4 million and Russia over 1 million. This made war more likely because it made countries more aggressive. Arguably some countries were looking for an excuse to go to war.

Alliances

An alliance is an agreement to defend another country. All the major powers were in alliances by 1914. Britain, France and Russia were in the Triple Entente. Germany and Austro-Hungary were in the Triple Alliance. This made countries feel stronger and less vulnerable, so it may have made them more aggressive. It also meant that any small conflict between two countries could quickly spread.

Imperialism

Imperialism is trying to build up an empire. Britain had the largest empire in the world and was worried about defending it. The German Kaiser (leader), Wilhelm II, was keen to expand Germany's small empire by taking over new countries. Austro-Hungary were trying to expand their lands in an area of Southern Europe known as the Balkans. Following the Scramble for Africa in the late nineteenth century, there were very few countries left uncolonised so competition for land was fierce and it led to further rivalry amongst the great powers.

Nationalism

Nationalism is the desire to make your country strong and independent. Larger countries wanted to be stronger than their rivals. Smaller countries wanted to be independent and break away from the empires controlling them. Nationalism led to large countries building up their armed forces and trying to defend or enlarge their empires. It also led to smaller nations being prepared to fight to break free of empires, such as Serbian nationalists in the Balkans.

Activities:

Choose two reasons and explain why they made war more likely;
Choose two reasons and explain how they link together.

Year 9 Challenges and Change

The M.A.I.N. Causes of WWI