- The late 19th century experienced significant industrialization, leading to increased production capacities and competition for resources and markets.
- Imperial powers expanded their colonies to secure raw materials and new markets, creating tensions and rivalries among European nations.
Alliances and Nationalism:
- European countries formed alliances to protect their interests and gain strategic advantages. The most notable alliances were the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).
- Nationalism intensified within European countries, fostering patriotic sentiments and territorial ambitions. Irredentist claims over territories added to tensions between nations.
The Arms Race:
- An arms race ensued as countries increased military spending and developed new technologies for warfare. Stockpiling of weapons, fortifications, and naval expansion created an atmosphere of anxiety and fear.
Unresolved Conflicts from the 19th Century:
- Long-standing disputes, such as those related to Alsace-Lorraine (disputed between France and Germany) and the Balkans (the "powder keg of Europe"), remained unresolved and contributed to tension between nations.
Failure of Diplomacy:
- Despite attempts at resolving conflicts through diplomacy, miscommunication, misunderstandings, and a heightened sense of national pride prevented effective conflict resolution.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
- The direct trigger for World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo in June 1914.
The culmination of these factors created a tense and unstable environment in Europe by the late 19th century, setting the stage for the escalation of tensions and the outbreak of World War I in 1914.