Here is a more detailed explanation:
* The Dual Alliance: Austria-Hungary and Germany had a mutual defense pact, which meant that if either country was attacked, the other would come to its aid.
* The Triple Alliance: Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy had a secret agreement that promised mutual support in case of war. Although this agreement was defensive in nature, it had an aggressive impact, as it signaled to other countries that the three countries were willing to use force to protect their interests.
* The Triple Entente: Britain, France, and Russia had a loose agreement to consult with each other if any one of them was threatened by another country. Although this agreement was also defensive in nature, it led to a sense of rivalry and distrust between the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
* The Balkan Powder Keg: The Balkans was a region of Europe that was home to many different ethnic groups, and there was a growing desire for independence from the Ottoman Empire, which controlled much of the area. Austria-Hungary and Russia both had interests in the Balkans, and they were competing for control of the region. This competition contributed to the tensions that led to the outbreak of war.
In summary, the alliances between the major European powers created a sense of insecurity and distrust that made it difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully. When the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in 1914, the alliances set in motion a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I.