1. Alliances and Ententes:
- A complex network of alliances and ententes existed between European countries before the war.
- The most significant ones were the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia).
- When conflict arose, these alliances obligated the respective nations to support each other, leading to the expansion of the war.
2. Nationalism and Imperial Rivalry:
- Nationalistic sentiments were on the rise across Europe, fostering a sense of competition and rivalry among nations.
- Imperial expansion and the desire for colonies and influence played a significant role in the tensions between countries.
- The Balkans region, in particular, was a hotspot for nationalist conflicts and territorial disputes.
3. Militarism:
- Many European countries had engaged in arms buildup and military expansion in the years leading up to the war.
- Germany, in particular, had a powerful and well-equipped military that made other nations wary and increased tensions.
4. Diplomatic Failures and Miscalculations:
- The diplomatic crisis preceding the war was characterized by misunderstandings, miscalculations, and failed attempts at conflict resolution.
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914 served as a catalyst, but the underlying issues had been simmering for years.
5. Mobilization and the Schlieffen Plan:
- Once war broke out, the mobilization of armies according to pre-existing military plans led to a domino effect.
- Germany's Schlieffen Plan, which involved a swift invasion of France through Belgium, prompted Britain to join the conflict in defense of Belgium's neutrality.