15.2.8

Summary of the Lead Up to War

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 Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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