THE CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

1. Nationalism The intense patriotism of people of the major powers. The desire of people with common language, history, and culture

to have their own country and break away from the major powers.

PRIDE
2. Imperialism

The competition between major countries for territories

throughout the world.

GREED
3. Militarism

The arms race and the need and desire for European countries to
try out new strategies and weapons.

AGGRESSION
4. Entangling Alliances
They were organized for mutual protection (balance of power). If two nations went to war all would go. The Triple Entente included Great Britain, France, and Russia. The Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and
Italy.

HONOUR
5. The Desire for Revenge
The French wanted revenge against the Germans because the
French lost the war and territory to Germany in the FrancoPrussian War of 1870.

REVENGE
6. The Desire for Access to the Sea
The Russians wanted a passage to the Mediterranean. This helped make them the protector of the Balkans. They were enemies of the Turks. The Germans wanted access to the Atlantic.

AMBITION
7. Europe had gone a long time without war.
Europeans had forgotten the horrors of war. Europe was a powder keg waiting for a match to strike to blow
up the world.