- Alsace-Lorraine: After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the German Empire annexed the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France, creating long-standing resentment and a desire to regain these territories.
2. Imperialism and Colonial Rivalries:
- By the late 19th century, European powers were competing for colonies and resources around the world. Competition for control of territories in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East intensified existing rivalries and created flashpoints for conflict.
3. Nationalism and Pan-Slavism:
- Nationalism was on the rise in Europe. In the Balkans, various Slavic groups sought to free themselves from the control of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary. Pan-Slavism aimed to unite all Slavic peoples under one banner, creating tensions with other ethnic groups.
4. Arms Race:
- European countries engaged in a naval and military arms race. The competition to build up stronger armies, navies, and weapons fueled distrust and the belief that war was inevitable.
5. Alliance System:
- A complex network of alliances formed among European powers. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia) created a situation where a conflict in one area could quickly escalate into a wider war due to mutual defense pacts.
6. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
- The immediate trigger for World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary's response to Serbia and the subsequent chain of events led to the outbreak of war.