The origins of World War I trace back to complex interrelationships among European powers, characterized by nationalism, imperialism, and militarism. By 1914, a web of alliances had formed, notably the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain). Tensions escalated following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, by a Bosnian Serb nationalist.
This event acted as a catalyst, triggering a series of diplomatic crises. Austria-Hungary, seeking to assert its influence in the Balkans, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. When Serbia’s response failed to satisfy, Austria-Hungary declared war on July 28, 1914. The complex alliance system quickly drew in other nations; Russia mobilized to support Serbia, while Germany declared war on Russia and France, and Britain entered the conflict after Germany invaded Belgium.
This initial conflict rapidly spiraled into a global war, reshaping geopolitical boundaries and societies across the globe.
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