Edexcel AS-Level History:
The Experience Of Warfare in Britain 1854-1929
The First World War 1914-1918
Causes of WW1
There were four main causes of the First World War: Alliances, Arms Race, Empire and Nationalism.
Arms Race
Germany was furiously competing with Britain to build Navy Battleships, this caused the British to fear an attack on their Empire. Germany was also competing with Russia and France to expand their Army.
Alliances
By 1914 all the major Powers were linked by a system of Alliances. However, these Alliances made it more likely that a war would start and once the war had started these Alliances made it more likely to spread.
Imperialism
All of the great powers were competing for colonies. The British feared Germany in Africa, the Austrians feared Serbia and Russia in the Falkans.
Nationalism (own power. Independent country)
This was the point in time, in which all Nations wanted to assert power and independence. In Europe the Slavs, aided buy Serbia and Russia wanted to break free from Austria.
Arms Race
Germany was furiously competing with Britain to build Navy Battleships, this caused the British to fear an attack on their Empire. Germany was also competing with Russia and France to expand their Army.
Alliances
By 1914 all the major Powers were linked by a system of Alliances. However, these Alliances made it more likely that a war would start and once the war had started these Alliances made it more likely to spread.
Imperialism
All of the great powers were competing for colonies. The British feared Germany in Africa, the Austrians feared Serbia and Russia in the Falkans.
Nationalism (own power. Independent country)
This was the point in time, in which all Nations wanted to assert power and independence. In Europe the Slavs, aided buy Serbia and Russia wanted to break free from Austria.