The Path to World War I: Alliances, Rivalries, and Conflict

The Causes of World War I

Colonial Conflicts and Tensions

The Berlin Conference had attempted to establish rules for the colonization of the African continent by European empires, but the German Empire reopened these conflicts. At the beginning of the 20th century, Morocco was the main scene of international tension as European powers competed to control it.

Rivalries, Nationalism, and Imperial Ambitions

European powers became increasingly nationalistic to defend their interests in Europe and their colonial empires. Some European peoples had nationalist aspirations and wanted to become independent states, while others defended their status as great traditional empires.

The German Empire annexed the French region of Alsace-Lorraine following its victory in the Franco-Prussian War. A strong rivalry also existed between the British and German empires over control of trade routes.

The Balkan Wars: A Powder Keg

As the Ottoman Empire was in a state of collapse, the Austro-Hungarian Empire planned to gain power over the Balkans. Serbia and Russia also wanted to increase their influence there and occupy the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits.

Serbia, allied with Russia, emerged as the victor in regional conflicts. As Serbia grew stronger, Austria-Hungary sought support from the Germans.

Military Alliances and the Arms Race

The Great Powers divided into two opposing military alliances in preparation for a possible confrontation:

• The Triple Alliance (1882): An alliance formed by the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.
• The Triple Entente: An alliance created by Great Britain, France, and Russia.

The mistrust between these powers also caused an arms race, with countries spending vast sums of money on manufacturing advanced weaponry.

The Outbreak of the Great War

The Assassination in Sarajevo

On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo. The assassin was a student with links to Serbian nationalists. Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of being responsible for the attack.

A Chain Reaction of Declarations

This event triggered a rapid chain reaction. Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary to protect Serbia. In response, Germany declared war on Russia and France. Finally, Great Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary after the German army invaded neutral Belgium. This series of events quickly escalated the conflict into a full-scale European war.