Causes of WWI

1. Long term

1.1. 1870-1871: Franco-Prussian war makes France despite Germany

1.2. 1879: Austro-German Dual Alliance

1.3. 1882: Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria, Italy

1.4. 1891-1894: France & Russia bolster alliances

1.5. 1904: Entente Cordiale - France & England

1.6. 1905: Moroccan crisis - Germany challenges French control of Morocco

1.7. 1907: Anglo-Russian alliance

1.8. 1908: Bosnian crisis - Austria announced it wants Bosnia-Herzegovina. This angered Slavs around Europe

1.9. 1911: Morocco Crisis 2, Agadir - Germany exercises gunboat diplomacy on French Morocco, leading to a closer relationship between France and Germany

1.10. 1912: Balkan Wars “another damned thing in the Balkans” - Serbia & Russia increase ties, Ottomans are weakened

2. “Europe’s Last Summer”

2.1. June 28: Gavrilo Princip assassinated Franz Ferdinand, successor to Austrian throne

2.2. July 6: Germany announced unconditional support for Austria

2.3. July 23: Austria sends ultimatum to Serbia, diplomats leave immediately

2.4. July 28: Austria declares war on Serbia

2.5. August 1: Germany declares war on Russia

2.6. August 3: Germany declares war on France, and essentially declares war on Belgium

2.7. August 4: Schlieffen Plan is activated, Britain declares war on Germany

2.8. August 6: Austria declares war on Russia

3. Generally

3.1. Nationalism

3.2. Imperialism

3.3. Militarism

3.4. Alliances

4. Extremely Long Term

4.1. 1054: Orthodox Christian church forms, separating Christians by religion

4.2. Slavic nationalism & repression by Austrians

4.3. Long-standing Franco-German conflict