Causes of World War I
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Spark
Major Alliances All European powers were split into two major alliances.
Web of Alliances and Treaties Due to these understanding and treaties, more countries were to be dragged into a war if one were to start.
1839 Treaty of London Britain guarantees the independence of Belgium.
Russian-Serbian Relations Russia protects Serbia as both countries have close cultural and religious ties.
Triple Entente Three-way agreement between the French, Russian and British empires.
1882 Triple Alliance Secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy promising neutral support in the case they were attacked by any other great European power.
1904 Entente Cordial A series of agreements between Britain and France, ending Britain's neutrality.
1894 Franco-Russian Alliance Alliance created by Russia with France to end the country's diplomatic isolation.
1879 Dual Alliance Defensive alliance formed between Austria-Hungary and Germany.
1907 Anglo-Russian Convention Agreement to stop the rivalries between the countries in Central Asia.
Overseas Colonies
Moroccan Crises Two crises involving diplomatic intervention based around Morocco, worsening Germany's relationship with France and Britain
1911 Agadir Crisis, Also known as the second Moroccan crisis Germany threatens the large amount of French troops moving to Morocco and they come to an agreement where Morocco becomes a Protectorate and Germany gains territorial concession.
1905 Tangier Crisis, Also known as the first Moroccan crisis, Germany threatens France and their control of Morocco, but France is backed by Britain and Italy and Germany steps down
European Powers vying for land in overseas nations, specifically Northern and Southern Africa during the early 20th century.
Naval Supremacy Germany and Britain competing in an arms race to have the more superior navy.
Escalating Navy Militarism
Germany's construction of U-Boats worries Britain into creating Dreadnaughts
European powers begin warship building programs due to Britain's mass spending
Army
Government spending on armies quadruples throughout Europe in the lead-up to WWI, most of the money from the six major powers.
Assasination of Franz-Ferdinand on 28th of June 1914
Austria-Hungary has casus belli to finally go to war with Serbia, a country that Austria-Hungary would like to annex.
July Crisis
Austria-Hungary delivers ultimatum to Serbia which is designed so that Serbia could never possibly agree to the demands, so that Austria-Hungary could go to war with them.
Serbia doesn't concede all requests on the casus belli, as per expected from Austria-Hungary, who go to war of them on the 28th of July, 1914.
Russia begins to mobilise to go to the help of Serbia. Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary** sends them an ultimatum to stop to mobilisation of their troops.
Declaration of war
Germany declares war on Russia on the 1st of August 1914, as Russia doesn't reply to the ultimatum.
Germany declares war on France on the 3rd of August, then continue to invade the country the next day.
Britain declares war on Germany for violating the 1839 Treaty of London on the 4th of August
Germany delivers blank cheque to Austria-Hungary, letting them know that they will support them and encourages a war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
Russian Nationalism, pride and culture likeness to Serbia leads Russia to defending Serbia and dragging multiple other countries into the war.
Austrian Aggressive Expansion in the Bosnian Crisis leaves Serbs in Southern Austria. Serbia seek support from Russia but Russia steps down after Germany backs Austria-Hungary
The Balkan League is formed in 1912 by Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria & Montenegro to defeat the collapsing Ottoman Empire. Slavs become a power to reckon with. Austria-Hungary and Germany want a quick war against Russia and Serbia to end the threat quickly, but war is averted in the last minutes.