How did WW1 start?

1. Long term

1.1. Germany wanted to increase their empire, make it as big as Britain's.

1.1.1. The triple entente was formed in 1907 between the British, French and Russians.

1.1.1.1. New node

1.2. France lost the reggions Alsace and Lorraine to Germany in 1871.

1.2.1. The triple alliance was formed in 1882 between the Germans, Italians and Austria- Hungarians.

1.3. Empire sizes of the great European Powers: Britain- 390 million people. Germany- 58 million people. France- 15 millian people.

1.3.1. Serbia annexed by Austria- Hungary in 1908.

1.3.1.1. The size of the armies of the great European powers: Britain - 711, 000 men Germany- 2,200,000 men France- 1,250,000 men.

2. Short Term

2.1. Germany invaded Belgium in 1914.

2.1.1. New node

2.2. The assasination of Arch Duke Ferdinand in Sarajevo in June 1914.

2.3. The inflence of popular press - "The remark ' England and Germany are bound to fight' Makes war a little more likley each time that it is made, and therefore made more often by the gutter press of each nation" - 1910.