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World War One

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World War One
There are many different factors that contributed to the outbreak of WWI. The most important of these are imperialism, the arms race, the alliance system, nationalism and the assassination of the Austrian Arch Duke. Although Germany has a share in the responsibility of these factors, she was definitely not the lone cause. Many powerful European nations played a roughly equal part in their contribution, which consequently started the First World War.

At the beginning of the 20th Century there was great imperialistic rivalry in Europe. This rivalry can be referred to as the "root" of all the major causes of World War I. Imperialism led to strained relationships between the powers (Germany often clashed with Britain and France over the rule of African countries, and France rivalled with Italy over Tunis) which led indirectly to the formation of the alliance systems
Nationalism was the primary long-term factor in the outbreak of the First World War however there were several immediate crises which provided the excuse for the nations of Europe to go to war. Nationalism is a broad concept encompassing a race's desire for self rule and determination, a deep patriotism often rooted in militarism and the building of empires. This nationalism existed to an extent in each European country which would participate in the First World War and caused rivalry and mistrust between these nations. Due to this rising nationalism and determination by countries to further their national interest, Europe developed two blocs of alliances between the major parties whom each shared common national interests; the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. However other factors which led to a large scale European War would be a lack of multiple German......

Although in the Treaty of Versailles Germany was to accept full responsibility for World War 1 this in not necessarily the case. Many factors have to be taken into account when considering the cause of World War 1. Germany may have been

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