History (2147)Militarism: Arms race between Britain and Germany (especially naval — Dreadnoughts). Countries built massive armies. Alliances: **Triple Alliance** (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) vs **Triple Entente** (Britain, France, Russia). Meant a small conflict could drag in everyone. Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies in Africa and Asia → tensions Nationalism: Slavic nationalism in the Balkans — Serbia wanted to unite Slavic peoples under Austria-Hungary's control
28 June 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip (Bosnian Serb nationalist) Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia → issued ultimatum → Serbia partly refused Alliance system activated: Russia mobilised for Serbia → Germany declared war on Russia and France → Germany invaded Belgium → Britain declared war on Germany
Topic 3 of 3Cambridge O Levels
Causes of World War I
Alliance system, arms race, imperialism and the assassination
Long-term causes (MAIN):
Short-term trigger:
The Schlieffen Plan: Germany's plan to defeat France quickly through Belgium, then turn east to fight Russia. Failed — war became trench warfare on the Western Front.
Key Points to Remember
- 1MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
- 2Triple Alliance vs Triple Entente
- 3Assassination of Franz Ferdinand triggered the war
- 4Schlieffen Plan failed → trench warfare
Pakistan Example
The Ottoman Empire and WW1 — Pakistan's Historical Connection
The Ottoman Empire (which included modern Turkey) joined the Central Powers. The Khilafat Movement in British India (1919-24) was Muslims' response to the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate after WW1. Leaders like Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar from what is now Pakistan campaigned for Ottoman preservation.