What drew much of Europe into the war in World War 1?

Answer 1

Causes of WWI: The causes were varied and many. It was a case of one thing lead to this thing and so on and so on. A chain reaction of sorts. The spark of the chain reaction was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. (Heir to the Austrian/Hungry throne.) The Austro-Hungarians used this opportunity to stomp the Serbians' nationalistic movement and to make concrete their influence in the Balkans. Then Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia on July 28th 1914. Russia, bound to Serbia by treaty began to mobilize its army in preparation of war. Germany, who was allied to Austria-Hungry, saw the mobilization of Russia's troops as an act of war. After a light warning, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1st. France bound to treaty with Russia came to Russia's aid. Unfortunately Britain was loosely bound to France and joined in defense of France. Japan joined with Britain and Italy who was allied with Germany but chose to remain impartial.