Causes of the War

Europe at Its Peak

· Industrial Revolution at its peak

· Europe had 25% of world Population—highest percent of any time in history

· Modernization led to sense that Europeans were at the peak of world civilization

Imperial Tensions

· European nations competed for colonies

Militarism

· Glorification of war and increase in military spending

· Germany competed against England’s naval superiority

Nationalism

· Great pride in one’s country or aspiring to become one’s own country

· Germany and Italy had only recently become united, independent countries

· Many countries torn by tensions of different nationalist groups

· Combined with militarism and imperial competition, this increased tensions in Europe

The System of Alliances

· Web of treaties to protect themselves

· Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

· Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, Russia