USA HISTORY

Which factor contributed most to the beginning of World War I? (Think, which cause of WWI turned a regional conflict into a international conflict)

(A) communist ideology

(B) economic depression

(C) ** secret alliances

(D) territorial disputes

Concept note-1: -However, there was one single event, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, which started a chain of events leading to war. In the years leading up to the war, the nations of Europe were constantly jockeying for power and making alliances. Germany made an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1881.

Concept note-2: -The event that sparked the conflagration was the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in 1914. But historians say that World War I actually was the culmination of a long series of events, stretching back to the late 1800s.

Concept note-3: -The major causes of World War II were numerous. They include the impact of the Treaty of Versailles following WWI, the worldwide economic depression, failure of appeasement, the rise of militarism in Germany and Japan, and the failure of the League of Nations.

Concept note-4: -As some European nations acquired more overseas territories than others, tensions between these countries began to rise. Imperialism led to increased competition between the major European powers and a desire for territorial expansion and economic gain.