Causes of the First World War: imperial rivalry, the alliance system, the arms race, Balkan nationalism and the July Crisis for N(A)-Level Humanities (History elective)

Why this module matters

The First World War (1914 to 1918) reshaped the twentieth century, and understanding why it broke out is the foundation for everything that follows in N(A)-Level Humanities (History elective), from the Treaty of Versailles to the rise of authoritarian regimes and the Cold War. The most important skill this module builds is distinguishing long-term causes that built up tension over years from the short-term trigger that set war off, and then explaining how the two combined.

This guide ties together the module's dot points, each with its own worked detail and practice. See the subject hub at /sg-n-level/history and the full syllabus list at /sg-n-level/history/syllabus.

The long-term causes

By 1914 Europe was already a dangerous place. Three deep rivalries and one regional flashpoint explain why.

• Imperial and colonial rivalry. The great powers competed for colonies, markets and prestige, and this competition bred suspicion and crises such as those over Morocco. Work through the detail at imperial and colonial rivalry.
• Nationalism in the Balkans. As Ottoman power declined, rival nationalisms collided in the Balkans, and Serbia, Austria-Hungary and Russia all took an interest in the same region. See nationalism in the Balkans.
• The alliance system and the arms race. The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente split Europe into two armed camps, while the Anglo-German naval race and the growth of armies added fear and rigid war plans. Study alliances and the arms race.

The short-term trigger: the July Crisis

The deep tensions did not have to lead to war in 1914, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 set off a five-week chain reaction. Austria-Hungary issued a harsh ultimatum to Serbia, encouraged by Germany's blank cheque of support; Russia mobilised to protect Serbia; and rigid war plans turned mobilisation into invasion. Trace the sequence at the assassination at Sarajevo and the July Crisis.

How long-term and short-term causes combine

The examiner's favourite question is essentially "what mattered more, the underlying tensions or the spark?" The best response refuses a simple answer: the assassination only led to a general war because the long-term causes had already created two armed, suspicious blocs with rigid plans. Remove the alliance system or the war plans, and Sarajevo might have stayed a local crisis. This is the cause-and-consequence reasoning that runs through the whole course.

Check your knowledge

Try these under timed conditions, then test yourself with the module quiz.

1. State two long-term causes of the First World War. (2 marks)
2. Explain the difference between a long-term cause and a trigger. (2 marks)
3. Explain why the alliance system helped turn a local crisis into a general war. (3 marks)
4. Explain why the Balkans were a dangerous flashpoint before 1914. (3 marks)
5. Explain why rigid war plans made the July Crisis more dangerous. (3 marks)