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What was the immediate cause for the First world war?

Answer
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Hint:This war was unlike any conflict the world had ever seen. It was a global war. World War I occurred between July 1914 and November 11, 1918.

Complete answer:
Although there was a chain of events that contributed directly to the battle, the real root factors are much deeper and part of ongoing discussion and debate.

1. Mutual Defense Alliance – Countries also made collective defense arrangements across Europe that would pull them into war. These treaties helped them because allied countries were obligated to protect them if one country was threatened.

2. Imperialism – When additional territories are brought under control to increase the power and wealth of a country it is known as imperialism. The desire for greater empires as well as increasing competition led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into WW I.

3. Militarism - As Germany had the greatest increase in military buildup. Germany and Great Britain both greatly increased their navies in this time period.

4. Nationalism- Nationalism of various countries throughout Europe contributed to the extension of war in Europe. They tried to prove their dominance and power.

5. The power vacuum created by the decline of the ottoman Empire.

6. Unresolved territorial disputes, the alleged collapse of the European balance of power, convoluted and divided government, the arms races of previous decades and military preparations are other significant long-term or systemic factors that are often studied.

Note:During the diplomatic crisis leading up to the war, other factors that came into play included misperceptions of intent (such as the German expectation that Britain would remain neutral), fatalism that war was imminent, and the pace of the crisis, compounded by diplomatic contact delays and misunderstandings.