* Nationalism: The rise of nationalism in Europe led to increased competition and rivalry between countries.
* Imperialism: European countries were competing for control of colonies and resources around the world.
* Militarism: European countries were building up their militaries in preparation for war.
* The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, was the spark that ignited World War 1.
Effects of World War 1
* The war resulted in the deaths of millions of people. An estimated 17 million people died in the war, including both soldiers and civilians.
* The war led to the collapse of several empires. The Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires all collapsed as a result of the war.
* The war led to the creation of new countries. Several new countries were created after the war, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
* The war had a profound impact on the global economy. The war disrupted trade and led to inflation and recession.
* The war led to the rise of new political ideologies. The war discredited liberalism and democracy, and led to the rise of communism and fascism.
* The war had a lasting impact on the world. The war changed the way people thought about war, nationalism, and the world order. It also laid the foundation for the Second World War.