Long-term factors

The intense political, territorial, and economic rivalries among the great powers, militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and the decline of the Ottoman Empire were key long-term factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I

Immediate events

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip served as the immediate spark for the July Crisis and the subsequent declaration of war by Austria-Hungary against Serbia

Pre-war tensions and power dynamics

Diplomatic tensions among the Great Powers over issues in Europe and their colonies, rooted in shifts in the balance of power, created a charged atmosphere that contributed to the outbreak of World War I

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914, served as the immediate spark for the July Crisis and the subsequent declaration of war by Austria-Hungary against Serbia

The July Crisis

The swift escalation of hostilities and diplomatic misunderstandings among Austria-Hungary, its allies and adversaries, including Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, contributed to the outbreak of World War I

Misinterpretations and beliefs

Misinterpretations of intent, the belief in the inevitability of war, and the rapid pace of escalation exacerbated by diplomatic delays and misunderstandings contributed to the outbreak of World War I

Diplomatic tensions among the Great Powers

Tensions among the Great Powers over issues in Europe and their colonies, rooted in shifts in the balance of power, created a charged atmosphere that contributed to the outbreak of World War I

Shifts in the balance of power

The changing power dynamics among the Great Powers since the late 19th century laid the groundwork for the alliances and conflicts that erupted into World War I

Policies and responses

Each nation's policies and responses to the shifting power dynamics contributed to the growing hostilities and tensions before World War I

Lack of consensus among historians

Historians have yet to reach a consensus on the origins of World War I, with debates continuing over the relative importance of various factors

Influence of new discoveries and changing perspectives

The historiographical debate is complex, influenced by new archival discoveries and the changing perspectives and ideologies of historians

Disagreements over responsibility and circumstances

Historians disagree on whether Germany and Austria-Hungary were primarily responsible for the war, if it was a deliberate strategy or a consequence of risk-taking, or if other powers such as Russia, France, Serbia, and the United Kingdom played significant roles