1. Franco-Prussian Rivalry: After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, there was ongoing resentment and revanchism in France towards Germany. France sought to regain Alsace-Lorraine, which had been annexed by Germany after the war.
2. Austro-Russian Rivalry: The rivalry between Austria-Hungary and Russia was primarily centered around control over the Balkans, a region of southeastern Europe. Both countries aimed to expand their influence in the region and compete for access to the strategically important waterways and resources.
3. German-British Rivalry: The rise of Germany as an economic and industrial power challenged British dominance in Europe and the world. There was competition between the two countries in terms of naval power, trade, and colonial possessions.
4. Italian-Austrian Rivalry: Italy had long sought to expand its territory and unify the Italian peninsula, which was still partially controlled by Austria-Hungary. Tensions arose over the control of the Adriatic coast and the Italian-speaking regions within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
5. Russian-Ottoman Rivalry: The rivalry between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was rooted in historical conflicts and territorial disputes in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Russia had ambitions to expand its influence in the region and gain access to the Mediterranean Sea.
These rivalries and tensions created an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and competition among the European powers, contributing to the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, served as the immediate trigger that ignited the conflict.