The document summarizes the key causes that led to the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, including militarism, imperialism, alliances and nationalism. Militarism involved Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II seeking to strengthen his army and navy to rival other European powers. Complex alliances bound the major European countries, which exacerbated tensions when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbian nationalists led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, drawing the other countries into war. Nationalism also fueled tensions as countries sought to expand their power.