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Causes of World War One

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How did rivalry over empire and nationalism in the Balkans raise tension between the great powers before 1914?

Explain how imperial and colonial rivalry, and nationalism in the Balkans, increased tension between the great powers before 1914
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on imperial rivalry and Balkan nationalism before 1914. Competition for colonies, the Moroccan crises, the decline of the Ottoman Empire and Balkan tension, and how these raised the risk of war.
9 min answer →

How did militarism and the arms race raise tension and make war more likely before 1914?

Explain how militarism, the naval and military arms race and rigid war plans increased tension before 1914
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on militarism before 1914. The growth of armies and the Anglo-German naval race, the influence of generals and war plans, and how this race for arms raised tension and made war more likely.
9 min answer →

How did the alliance system divide Europe into two rival blocs and make a general war more likely?

Explain how the system of alliances divided Europe into two armed camps and turned a local crisis into a general war
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the alliance system before 1914. The Triple Alliance and Triple Entente, why the agreements were made, and how dividing Europe into two armed camps turned a local quarrel into a general war.
9 min answer →

How did the assassination at Sarajevo turn into a general European war within five weeks?

Explain how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led, through the July Crisis, to the outbreak of a general war in 1914
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the July Crisis of 1914. The Sarajevo assassination, the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia, the blank cheque, the chain of mobilisation, and how the crisis became a general war.
10 min answer →