What Were The Underlying Causes Of World War 1

The underlying causes of World War One are a mix of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Militarism is the belief that a country should have a strong military and is prepared to use it to defend their country. Alliances in WWI put the Allies, Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States against the Central Powers, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. Imperialism is when a country spreads its influences throughout another country through diplomacy or force, and in WWI made the expanding countries think themselves as unbeatable. Nationalism is extreme patriotic feelings for one’s country and made smaller conquered countries want to be independent. With these four causes, militarism, alliances,
Document 3 shows the European alliances in 1914, which had the Triple Alliance, which was Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, and the Triple Entente, which consisted of Russia, the UK, and France, as well as neutral nations, some going to join the war and some that will stay away. Since Germany declared war on Russia, France began the mobilization process, and days after the first declaration, Germany declared war on France as well. Developing from there, the various alliances throughout Europe politically forced countries to fight to protect the countries they allied
Document 2 contains 3 quotes from various people. The first quote is from a French citizen, stating “How many times in the past 2 years have we heard people repeat “Better war than this perpetual waiting!” In this wish, there is no bitterness, but a secret hope.” This quote is saying that people are wishing for war, potentially to show that their country is stronger. The next quote is similar, talking about how average men and women were excited and filled with delight at the prospect of war. Finally, the last quote is from the Kaiser of Germany, telling the people “You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees.” This implies that Germany thought that they would win the war very quickly and that the troops would be home before they knew it. Document 5 includes the Russian National Anthem pre-revolution era and a British poem that was considered the unofficial National Anthem. The Russian Anthem praises the Tsar and prays that God will keep him living and in power. It states that he is the ‘dread of their enemies’ and ‘faiths sure defender,’ which implies that the Russians saw him as the greatest power known to man at the time, before the Russian Revolution. The British poem makes Britain seem like a God-given city that is greater than any other nation. It gives the idea that Britain is the dread and envy of every other nation and is the best. These two pieces of writing promote