Causes of WW1

The main players

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany

Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria

Czar Nicholas II of Russia

King George V of Great Britain

King Victor Emmanuelle of Italy

France

Sultan Mehmed V of the Ottoman Empire

Serbia

Entangling System of Alliances

Arms Race and Militarism Naval race between Germany and Britain Naval race between Germany and Britain Germany, France, Russia race to expand their armies Germany, France, Russia race to expand their armies All the countries had made plans for war, such as the German Von Schlieffen Plan All the countries had made plans for war, such as the German Von Schlieffen Plan War was seen as inevitable War was seen as inevitable

Imperialism Countries wanted colonies Countries wanted colonies Both for wealth and prestige Both for wealth and prestige

Nationalism Similar causes as imperialism: the country wants more power and prestige, which would be boosted by military glory and victory Similar causes as imperialism: the country wants more power and prestige, which would be boosted by military glory and victory Very strong in the case of Serbia, Germany and France Very strong in the case of Serbia, Germany and France Also, nationalism was pulling empires like Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman empire apart, so they thought a war might save their empires Also, nationalism was pulling empires like Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman empire apart, so they thought a war might save their empires

Preservation of the old order Socialist and liberal movements gaining power in most countries Socialist and liberal movements gaining power in most countries This posed a threat to the old order, especially in Russia, Austria-Hungary and Germany because they did not have responsible governments yet This posed a threat to the old order, especially in Russia, Austria-Hungary and Germany because they did not have responsible governments yet Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany had to rely on socialists and liberals to pass an army bill in 1913 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany had to rely on socialists and liberals to pass an army bill in 1913 In return, the socialists and liberals wanted a more responsible government In return, the socialists and liberals wanted a more responsible government The Kaiser had to find an external crisis to distract from the internal crisis The Kaiser had to find an external crisis to distract from the internal crisis