Hailey Cagle
History 1700
Professor Feveryear
2/28/2012
What were the underlying cause of world war one? What was the spark that started the war?
	World War One was the result of leaders aggression towards other countries. Economic and imperial competition and fear of was prompted military alliances and an arms race, which rose the tension to the out break of the war. 
	Some main causes of World War One are: Militarism (Arm Race- The attempt to built up a strong army and navy gave nations the means and will to make war), Alliances (Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary formed the "Triple Alliance." This alarmed France, Russia and Britian. By 1907, they actually joined the triple entente. Europe was divided into two armed camps to help each other if there were ever a war) , Imperialism(the desire to conquer colonies, especially in Africa. This brought the powers into conflict- Germany wanted an empire. France and Britian already had empires), and nationalism(the belief that your country is better than others. This made nations aware and aggressive.) An immediate cause is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. In June 1914, a serbian assassinated him and his wife while in Bosnia. Serbia wanted to take over Bosnia and Herzegorina. Which then led to Austria-Hungary declaring was on Serbia. 
	WW1 was caused by nationalism. When the war was declared on Germany. People burst out in the streets celebrating in France and Britian. WW1 was the result of a long string of events dating back to the 1980's. Germany had a huge role in it. They fought for the independence of Morocco to try and break the alliance between France and Britian. Germany wanted to increase its colonial empire and the good colonies were already taken. 
	The Archduke's Assassination triggered the war. Austria and Germany rejected a peace treaty proposed by Britian. Instead of trying to work things out between Austria and Serbia. Germany wanted a cause for war.