World War 1 was the result of short term causes but were fuelled by long term tensions. Militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalist rivalry between the five great powers of Europe, France, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Britain, built up over a number of years and finally exploded in a series of crisis eventuating in war.

Since 1871, militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism were long term causes of unrest in Europe and directly led to the outbreak of war. It was the belief that the size a countries military was a demonstration of their superiority, shown by widespread conscription and Britain’s Two Power Standard policy. This policy driven by militarism led to the navel arms race from 1906, turned possible allies, Britain and Germany into enemies. Alliances were made before the war for safety and to prevent attacks, however some alliances were perceived as threats and betrayal caused for revenge. When Germany did not renew their Treaty with Russia in 1890, Russia was suspicious of their actions and made an alliance with France who she would eventually fight with against Germany. Imperialism is what turned conflict in Europe into a world war as French and British colonies were called to fight. Imperialism led to jealously, especially from Germany who had left colonisation too late, and competition in Morocco between France and Germany and competition in the Balkans between Austria-Hungary and Russia. Nationalism was very important as all five powers wanted to validate their position in Europe. France was determined to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine from Germany and Austria-Hungary wanted to dominate Serbia and Slavic states while Russia wanted to form a united Slavic state. Militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism attitudes were responsible for the long term tensions in Europe that ultimately led to war.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the following July crisis were the short term triggers that led to the outbreak of war but were the consequence of long term strain. Franz Ferdinand was visiting Bosnia to enforce Austrian-Hungarian rule to people who wished to be united with Serbia. The attitude of nationalism caused Gavrillo Princip, a Bosnian nationalist, to assassinate the Archduke which only gave Austria-Hungary a reason to provoke war. Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia which was deliberately constructed to be impossible to accept but Serbia did accept all but one point, this was enough for war to be declared. The long term alliances in Europe caused a domino effect first with Russia mobilising to protect her ally Serbia and France mobilising to support Russia. Germany declaring war on France, Britain declaring war on Germany and Austria-Hungary declaring war on Russia. The long term idea of militarism caused these wars to be declared so quickly as all countries were prepared for war and all the notion of imperialism turned a European war into a world war. Although the assassination and the subsequent July crisis directly led to the outbreak of war, the long term causes fuelled the decisions made in the weeks before war.

The short term causes of the war, the assassination of the Archduke and the July crisis were responsible for the outbreak of war but there was only and outbreak because of long term tensions. Militarism, alliances, imperialism attitudes and alliances between the five powers of Europe were the cause of the crisis in July and the First World War.

	Created by mariecanne almost 12 years ago

12 Modern History Note on Lead up to war, created by mariecanne on 22/10/2013.