1.4.4

Reasons for the Outbreak of Hostilities

Test yourself

Reasons for the Outbreak of Hostilities

A number of short-, medium- and long-term factors led to the outbreak of the First World War.

Illustrative background for Long-term factorsIllustrative background for Long-term factors ?? "content

Long-term factors

  • Imperialism and colonialism.
    • A policy of strengthening a country by conquering new territory.
  • Militarism.
    • Spending more money to increase military strength.
Illustrative background for Medium-term factors Illustrative background for Medium-term factors ?? "content

Medium-term factors

  • The alliance system.
  • German Weltpolitik (world policy).
  • Slav nationalism.
Illustrative background for Short-term factorsIllustrative background for Short-term factors ?? "content

Short-term factors

  • The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
  • The July Crisis, followed by the German invasion of France through Belgium.
Illustrative background for Tensions leading to warIllustrative background for Tensions leading to war ?? "content

Tensions leading to war

  • Perhaps out of fear of being humiliated and not wanting to be on the back foot, tensions escalated to the point of war.
  • None of the powers had a clear aim of war.
  • No one anticipated the devastating conflict that would happen between 1914-1918.

Jump to other topics

1The Causes of the First World War

1.1The Alliance System

1.1.1The Threat of Germany & The Triple Alliance

1.1.2The Franco-Russian Alliance & the 'Entente'

1.1.3End of Topic Test - The Alliance System

1.2Crisis in Morocco and the Balkans

1.2.1The Crisis in Morocco

1.2.2The Crisis in the Balkans

1.2.3The Balkan Wars

1.2.4Impact on International Relations

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Morocco & the Balklans

1.3Anglo-German Rivalry

1.3.1Britain & Splendid Isolation

1.3.2Kaiser Wilhelm II's Foreign Policy

1.3.3European Rearmament

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Anglo-German Rivalry

1.4Outbreak of War

1.4.1Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

1.4.2The July Crisis

1.4.3The Schlieffen Plan and Belgium

1.4.4Reasons for the Outbreak of Hostilities

1.4.5End of Topic Test - Outbreak of War

2The First World War: Stalemate

2.1The Schlieffen Plan

2.1.1Reasons Behind the Schlieffen Plan & its Failure

2.1.2Stalemate

2.1.3End of Topic Test - The Schlieffen Plan

2.2The Western Front

2.2.1Technology

2.2.2Military Tactics

2.2.3The War of Attrition (1915-1916)

2.2.4The War of Attrition (1917)

2.2.5End of Topic Test - The Western Front

2.3The Wider War

2.3.1The War at Sea

2.3.2The War in the Air

2.3.3Other Theatres

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Wider War

3Ending the War

3.1Changes in the Allied Forces

3.1.1The Bolshevik Revolution

3.1.2Reasons for the Entry of the USA

3.1.3The Impact of US Entry on the War

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Changes in the Allied Forces

3.2Military Developments in 1918

3.2.1Tactics & Technology

3.2.2Ludendorff & the German Spring Offensive

3.2.3The Allied Advance During The Hundred Days

3.3Germany Surrenders

3.3.1The Impact of the Naval Blockade

3.3.2Abdication of the Kaiser

3.3.3Armistice

3.3.4The Contribution of Haig and Foch

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Developments & Surrender

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson

The Schlieffen Plan and Belgium

End of Topic Test - Outbreak of War