What were some long term causes of World War 1?

Answer 1

- Colonial Rivalry

- Balkan Nationalism

- Alsace-Lorraine

- The Arms Race

- The Anglo-German Naval Race

- The Alliance System

- Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Militarism

Answer 2

Some of the long term causes are - the arms race between Germany and Britain, the alliances (Triple alliance & triple entente)

Some of the short term causes are- the invasion of Belgium by Germany, the French Colonies

Answer 3

1. there was a world-wide depression so every nation started to re-arm its weaponry and forces.

2.Hatred between fascism and communism increased.

3.Japan was growing as a military and industrial power.(dangerous for rest).

4.The league of nation adopted a policy of isolationism(not interfering in foreign politics) so powerful nations did what they wished.

5.Germans were angry on treatment in treaty of Versailles.

Answer 4

Long term factors that led to WW1

• Industrialism
• Imperialism
• Militarism
• Nationalism
• Alliances

Industrialism:Nations in Europe as well as the US begin to move from agrarian societies to Industrial societies during the mid 19th century. (People moved from the country to the city, giving up farm lives for factory jobs.) The rise of factories, which are located in the cities, require raw materials and Natural Resources in order to mass produce goods. Industries rapidly use natural resources and create a need for industrialized countries to seek raw materials and natural resources outside their own borders. Forced nations, which had modernized (mainly Europe and the US), to constantly seek new areas of the world to gain raw materials and natural resources for their factories. This caused friction between the modern nations competing for global resources.

Imperialism: The attempt by stronger nations to build empires by dominating weaker nations politically, economically, militarily, and culturally. European nations began engaging in empire building in the beginning of the 16th century. By the early 15oo's, Europe had emerged as the most advanced region of the world politically, technologically, and militarily. European nations began to expand and exert their control over lesser developed regions of the world. Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, and France began to establish colonies in North and South America, Africa, and Asia for the purpose of extracting raw materials, minerals, and precious metals. By the late 19th century, spurred by industrialization, European nations increased expansion and colonized over lesser developed regions of the world.

This new era of imperial expansion was driven by the need to acquire new regions of the world to extract raw materials and natural resources for factories established in Europe. Conversely, European nations needed new regions of the world to sell their manufactured goods (saturated markets). The institution of Imperialism solved the two major dilemmas facing modern European nations.

Militarism: The growth of mass armies in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries heightened existing tensions between imperialist powers. Conscription, or drafting, civilian males for military service, was the method used by European nations to raise large, powerful armies. The competition between imperialist powers to have superior military forces caused each nation to attempt to develop weapons and strategies that would give them an advantage over the other powers.

The drive to have superior military forces led to what was called the Arms Race. Between 1890 - 1900 European armies doubled in size. As the size of the armies grew, so did the influence of military leaders within the powerful nations of Europe. They drew up complex war plans that were based on mass war mobilization of the entire nation. Military leaders feared the changes to their war plans would cause defeat. They insisted that their plans could not be altered.

By 1914, the tensions between powerful nations of Europe had reached a dangerous point where war seemed likely. Due to militarism, political leaders were forced to make decisions based on military planning instead of seeking diplomatic solutions.

Nationalism: By the end of the 17th century, Europeans began to see themselves organized into states based upon ethnic - national make up. By the end of the 18th century, Europe was a collection of nation states. The peoples living in these states considered themselves to share common characteristics. Within these European states the citizens felt that being part of the state or nation was important to whom they were and this fostered a pride of being part of the nation. By the mid 19th century, strong feelings of nationalistic pride emerged in nations in Europe who had become powerful economically, politically, and militarily. (Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria - Hungary) These nations began to see themselves as the dominate nations in Europe as well as the world. A fierce nationalistic competition arose among these nations, with each believing their own nationalistic goals and priorities were more important than the others.

At the same time, powerful European nations were gaining these nationalistic attitudes, there were other peoples of Europe who felt they deserved their own place in Europe. People living in Eastern and Southern Europe, under domination of the Austro - Hungarian Empire, felt they were being treated as 2nd class citizens and wanted to be free from their oppression. The end result of this was a clash result of distinct forms of nationalistic ideology, one which sought to rule others and one that sought self - rule.

Alliances: A system of alliances formed among the nations of Europe as a result of the wars fought in Europe in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The system of alliances formed in Europe after the defeat of Napoleon deterred any one nation from becoming too powerful. The alliance system kept Europe relatively peaceful for the next 50 years. By the late 19th century, the major European nations divided into 2 powerful alliances. The Triple Alliance, formed in 1882, made up of the nations Germany, Italy, and Austria - Hungary. Great Britain and France made up the Entente Cordiale and by 1907 Russia joined to form the Triple Entente.

These 2 alliance systems were a complex series of treaties that bond their members to defend each other in the time of war. By 1914, the alliances that were formed to keep the peace actually drove Europe to war.

Answer 5

Two of the long-term causes of World War 1 was the long time it takes to build a military that is capable of waging a major war. Another long-term reason is the time it takes to develop alliances between nations. Other long-term reasons for World War 1 include nationalism. It takes a long time to create love for the country.

Answer 6

The four main long term causes of ww1 were militarism, the alliance system, imperialism ,and nationalism. The main short term cause is the assassination of

Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austria- Hungary throne). He was shot by Gavrilo Pricip after the attempted bombing failed.

Answer 7

Nationalism, Alliances, Militarism and Imperialism

Answer 8

Nationalism, Militarism, Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and Alliances

Answer 9

alliances and nationilism