One Cause of World War I - Alliances
While alliances did not cause World War I, these groups were a large factor that led to the progression of the War. Leading up to the War, the Triple Alliance was formed in 1882 by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy to ensure their support for each other if a war broke out. The formation of this alliance then led to fear in other European nations, due to the power of the three countries in the Triple Alliance. This threat then caused the Triple Entente to form, which included the other powerful European nations of France, Great Britain and Russia. Between these two powerful ally groups were some prolonged rivalries between Germany and France and Austria-Hungary and Russia. These rivalries weren't specifically what led to the allies going to war against each other, but surely assisted in the progression of the beginning of World War I. One other factor that could be traced to have caused the War is nationalism, the feeling of strong patriotism towards one's country. The loyalism the inhabitants of these countries had to their nations surely could've led to European countries fighting in war. Due to the pre-existing alliances, countries in a certain alliance were obliged to assist other nations in their alliances in war. Since the most powerful countries in Europe were then all battling each other at once, a World War then progressed.
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