Before 1914, most people thought there would never be another war. It would be too destructive, they said, and no nation could cause such a catastrophe. The civilized world was enjoying its century of peace and progress. They thought had too much to lose in war.

The big powers went to war after all. Again, they blamed each other for the breakdown of peace. World war one (WW1) (1914-18) was the most destructive and costly war up to that time. WW1 is sometimes called “The Great War” because the war profoundly changed both the western nations and the rest of the world.

Causes of the Great war

NationalismImperiali

smMilitaris

mRival

alliances

The list of country that are involves in world war one

Nationalism Was at the root of much of the tension before the war.

nationalism flourished in Europe during the 1800s. It united some nations, like Germany and Italy. But it brought disunity in others. Proud ethnic groups in the Austrian and Ottoman empires wanted independence.

Nationalism also caused tension between France and Germany.

The French bitterly resented their defeat in the franco-prussian War and wanted revenge.

They were determined to regain the lost territory of Alsace-Lorraine from Germany.

Rising feelings of nationalism came from many sides.

Imperialism Rivalries over colonies were also causing tensions, both within and outside Europe. During the scramble for colonies in Africa, Europeans nations went to the brink of war many times.

Diplomatic action and treaties saved them from war. But France, Britain, and Germany resented each other’s imperialist actions and ambitions in the continent. Imperial expansion aroused the worry of others. In the middle East, Britain was worried by German’s building of the Berlin-Baghdad Railways because it was a threat to its “Lifeline” to India.

Austria's expansion in the Balkans aroused the hostility of Serbia and Russia.

In the partition of Africa (1870-1900). Both Germany and Italy were dissatisfied because they obtained few and poor territories, while Britain and France got the best colonies.

Russia and Japan fought a war over Manchuria.

Military Arms Race

In this these political climate, the big powers of Europe prepared for war

Military spending on the continent jumped 300 percent between 1870 and 1914.

A naval rivalry began between Britain and Germany.

In the 19th century, “Britannia ruled the waves” and did not want any other power to outdo their royal Navy.

When Germany became strongest naval power, Britain saw this as a threat to its naval supremacy.

This arms race between the two countries contributed to the growing international tension.

Rival Alliances

Two rival alliances were formed-the Triple Alliance (1882) and the Triple Entente (1907).

The members of the Triple Alliance were Germany, Austria, and Italy.

The Triple Entente was composed of Britain, France, and Russia.

Any war between them would involve not only Europe but also the whole world, for both alliances made friends with other nations of the world.

Ottoman Turkey was bound to Germany by economic and military ties, and Japan was allied with Britain, and therefore with France.

The big powers were caught in a dangerous web of alliances. The alliance system increased the possibility that a minor incident could lead to a major war.

An American official visiting Europe in 1914 wrote these prophetic words, “The situation is extraordinary.

It is militarism run mad.

There is too much hatred, too many jealous. All that is needed is a spark to set the whole thing off”

The Germany ambassador and Paris in 1914 also wrote home, “Peace remains at the mercy of an accident.” That “accident” and that “spark” came just months after their diplomatic reports.

World War (ww1)