Long and Short Term Causes of WWI

What were the long and short term causes of World War One?


“The War to End All Wars!” was a common name for World War One. As history shows us, this was quite false, as many wars were to follow. Yet, many aspects of warfare were changed during this time. WWI was arguably the most bloody, stomach-wrenching war the world has ever seen. It leaves many to ask, “What caused such violence and death?” Events taking place over a long period of time, such as imperialism, militarism, and nationalism, as well as more immediate effects such as the assassination of Ferdinand, Mobilization, new countries involvements due to alliances, led to tension, and soon the outbreak of WWI.

The most important of the long term effects leading to the outbreak of war was imperialism. Seemingly all at once, the great European Empires broke free of their decided boundaries, and expanded into colonies spanning the entire earth. Most colonized was Africa, due to the fact that it seemed every cou...