The immediate trigger for World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, the provincial capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina (formally annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908).
The assassination set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of war within weeks. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia accepted in part but rejected in part. Austria-Hungary then declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Russia, as Serbia's ally, began mobilizing its military in response. Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, and on France, Russia's ally, on August 3, 1914. Britain, allied with France and Belgium, declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914. Thus, World War I began.
Underlying Causes of World War I
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the spark that ignited World War I, but there were a number of underlying causes that had been building up for decades. These included:
* Imperialism: The major European powers were competing for control of colonies and resources in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. This competition led to increased tensions and rivalries between the powers.
* Nationalism: Nationalism was on the rise in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This led to a desire for self-determination and independence among many ethnic groups, which further increased tensions between the European powers.
* Militarism: The European powers had been building up their militaries in preparation for war. This arms buildup created a sense of insecurity and fear among the powers.
* The Balkan Powder Keg: The Balkans, a region of southeastern Europe, was a hotbed of ethnic and political tensions. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th century had created a power vacuum in the region, and the Balkan states were competing for control of territory. This competition led to a number of wars and crises in the Balkans, including the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, which is located in the Balkans, was the final spark that ignited World War I.
World War I was a complex and multifaceted conflict. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate trigger, but there were a number of underlying causes that had been building up for decades. These causes included imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and the Balkan Powder Keg. The war had a devastating impact on Europe and the world, and its legacy continues to be felt today.