World War I was caused by militarism, imperialism, and a system of rival alliances between European powers. Countries had built up large militaries and still sought to expand their territories abroad. This caused tensions that were further exacerbated by networks of alliances like the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia, and the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The immediate trigger of WWI was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, leading Germany to declare war on Russia and the outbreak of war across Europe.

1. World War I

2. Causes of WWI
1. Militarism
– Countries built militaries as a symbol of power

3. 2. Imperialism
– Countries still looked to gain access to foreign
lands

4. 3. Rival Alliances
– Countries made friendships with other countries
– Reinsurance Treaty – secret treaty between
Germany and Russia

6. – Wilhelm II came to power in Germany and let it
expire
– Britain and France created Entente Cordiale
(friendly understanding) to defend against
Germany

8. Triple Entente
• Britain, France and Russia
– They all had a common fear of Germany

10. • The spark that started WWI was the
assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand

12. • Germany declared war on Russia

13. Central Powers
• Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy

14. Allies
• Russia, France, Serbia and Britain