2. Imperial ambitions: The major European powers had extensive colonial empires, and they often competed for control of these colonies. This rivalry contributed to the outbreak of war, as countries sought to expand their empires or prevent others from doing so.
3. Nationalism: The 19th century saw a rise in nationalism, as people began to identify with their nation-state rather than with their region or religion. This nationalism sometimes took an extreme form, leading to conflicts between different ethnic groups and countries.
4. Militarism: In the years leading up to World War I, there was an arms race among the major European powers. Each country stockpiled weapons and built up its military, which created a climate of fear and suspicion.
5. The spark that lit the fuse: The immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. This event sparked a chain of events that led to war.
These are just some of the factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I. The war quickly became a global conflict, involving countries from all over the world. The war lasted for four years and resulted in the deaths of millions of people.