What were the causes of WWI?

The causes of WWI are very complex, however some of the main points were:

(I) The Alliance system which emerged in the 1890s, splitting Europe into two camps of Britain, France and Russia, and Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Though it should be noted that only the latter alliance involved commitment to go to war.

(II) Disputes over imperialism between the Great Powers arguably fueled tensions leading up to 1914.

(III) The growth of militarism, exemplified by Britain and Germany's arms race before 1914, with both powers seeking to build the world's most powerful navy.

(IV) More reasons exist, but the final in this concise answer has to be nationalism, a 19th century movement which arguably drove up support for war amongst European peoples. A case in point would be the French nationalistic opposition to Germany due to the latter's possession of Alsace-Lorraine, one time a French province.

MW
Answered by Michael W. History tutor

2605 Views

See similar History A Level tutors

Related History A Level answers

All answers ▸

In what ways did Germany contribute to the outbreak of WW1


How successful was denazification in West Germany 1945-60?


To what extent was Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement responsible for the rise of Hitler and the eventual start of the Second World War?


'Joseph Stalin was able to secure genuine support and adoration from the Soviet people.' Discuss.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning