Imperialism

Germany had begun to build up an empire in Africa and the Pacific. In 1870 France had gone to war with Germany and had been badly defeated. Germany took two French provinces after the war, Alsace and Lorraine. Ever after, the French hated Germany and wanted revenge. Russia was defeated by Japan in 1905 and wanted to prove that it is still a major power. Austria-Hungary had been growing weaker for many years, but wanted to spread its empire to the south into the Balkans. Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia in 1908. The only country which stood on its way was Serbia. Austria-Hungary wanted to attack Serbia but knew that Russia backed Serbia. The Italians wanted an empire, and had conquered East Africa by 1890. In 1911, they have conquered Libya from Turkey. Russia also wanted to gain more influence on the Balkans, and wanted to stop Austria-Hungary from expanding.

Militarism

The German government had passed the Navy Laws in 1898 and 1900, saying that the German Navy would build up to rival the Royal Navy. After 1906, Britain and Germany started to try to build more ships than the other. The Russian government believed that its army could defeat any European army, and wanted to prove that.

Alliances

At the Treaty of Westminster in 1839 Britain had promised to defend Belgium if it was ever attacked. France had built up alliances: -1804, the Dual Entente with Russia -1904, the Entente Cordiale with Britain -1907, the Triple Entente with Britain and Russia. Germany built alliances with Austria-Hungary (1870) and with Italy (1882) – this was called the Triple Alliance. Austria-Hungary knew that it couldn’t defeat Russia without Germany’s support. Italy joined the Triple Alliance although they wanted Austria-Hungary’s land, and supported France against Germany.

Nationalism

In 1870 France had gone to war with Germany and had been badly defeated. Germany took two French provinces after the war, Alsace and Lorraine. Ever after, the French hated Germany and wanted revenge. Russia was defeated by Japan in 1905 and wanted to prove that it is still a major power. The Russian government was determined to support Serbia because they were similar.

Those were the 4 main long term causes of the 1st World War.

My name is Bibi and this is my very first blog post.

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