Question: What were the causes of The Great War (World War I)? (scroll down for answer)       Answer: MANIA M - Militarism - European nations began amassing large armies that were prepared for war. A - Alliances - These militarized nations joined alliances. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy created the Triple Alliance in 1882. Russia, France, and England entered the Triple Entente in 1907. N - Nationalism – Different nations believed that they should dominate the European Continent. I - Imperialism - Nations wanted to gain territory and make their Empires more powerful. A - Assassination - The spark that started the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was shot by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip  on 6/28/1914. Serbia was one of the nations breaking away from the "powder keg" or "sick man" of Europe...the Ottoman Empire.  Austria declared war on Serbia, and a chain reaction of war declarations spread throughout Europe. Click here for next flash card.      Back to eFlashcard headquarters