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For the war itself see [[World War I]]

For the war itself see [[World War I]]

The '''causes of World War I''' vary from the immediate (the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne by Serbian nationalists, to the complex (such as ethnic nationalism across Europe, the arms race, and the competing alliance systems) to the remote (the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870-1871).   

The '''causes of World War I''' vary from the immediate (the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne by Serbian nationalists), to the complex (such as ethnic nationalism across Europe, the arms race, and the competing alliance systems) to the remote (the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870-1871).   

Political scientists generally say the war was not inevitable--that it was caused more by accident, misunderstanding and too-hurried decision-making.  Historians say the deep forces would inevitably have caused a war.

Political scientists generally say the war was not inevitable--that it was caused more by accident, misunderstanding and too-hurried decision-making.  Historians say the deep forces would inevitably have caused a war.

Four of the causes of [[World War I]] are often referred to by the acronym "MAIN", which stands for Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

Four of the causes of [[World War I]] are often referred to by the acronym "MAIN", which stands for Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

==Multiple causes==

==Multiple causes==

What caused the Great War? Historians still debate the questions involved. How did the conflict start? Was it a case of small mistakes escalating into a conflict that no one really wanted, or was the war an unavoidable consequence of deep conflicts? Why did it become stalemated? Why could it not be terminated? Most ominous of all, could it happen again? The war began in 1914 between two coalitions. The "Central Powers" comprised the German and Austro- Hungarian Empires, later joined by the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire. The "Allies" included the British, Russian and French Empires, Japan, and Serbia.<ref>Italy was originally a Central Power, but remained neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915.</ref> The powers had vast overseas empires in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere (including Canada) that were active participants.  

What caused the Great War? Historians still debate the questions involved. How did the conflict start? Was it a case of small mistakes escalating into a conflict that no one really wanted, or was the war an unavoidable consequence of deep conflicts? Why did it become stalemated? Why could it not be terminated? Most ominous of all, could it happen again? The war began in 1914 between two coalitions. The "Central Powers" comprised the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, later joined by the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire. The "Allies" included the British, Russian and French Empires, Japan, and Serbia.<ref>Italy was originally a Central Power, but remained neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915.</ref> The powers had vast overseas empires in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere (including Canada) that were active participants.  

In examining this war the "who" and "when" questions are less interesting than the "how" and "why" problems.  Since 1870 there had been no large war in Europe, largely because the major countries joined one of the two great alliances. Fear of a small conflict escalating into a large war provided deterrence--until 1914 when the system broke down. Historians and political scientists have debated endlessly why the system of alliances and deterrence collapsed, and how the Great War could have been avoided.

In examining this war the "who" and "when" questions are less interesting than the "how" and "why" problems.  Since 1870 there had been no large war in Europe, largely because the major countries joined one of the two great alliances. Fear of a small conflict escalating into a large war provided deterrence--until 1914 when the system broke down. Historians and political scientists have debated endlessly why the system of alliances and deterrence collapsed, and how the Great War could have been avoided.