LibGuides: YEAR 9 : WORLD WAR I: Causes of WWI

Causes of War

As with any conflict, there were many conditions that led to the 'great war'. Alliances and distrust between countries, old rivalries, and the desire for global expansion all contributed to a conflict that raged for years and engulfed numerous countries.

International Encyclopaedia of the First World War - Pre War themes
This excellent website contains a lot of useful information on WWI. In this section of the site you will find articles on leading causes, including Imperialism and the Arms Race.

World Book Student - World War I
The conditions that led to World War I took shape over several decades. The unification of Germany in 1871 had created a powerful and fast-growing new state in the heart of Europe. In the early 1900’s, Germany’s quest for power caused a series of crises. Armed forces expanded, and Europe’s great powers formed alliances and prepared for war.

Neiberg, M. S. (2015). World War I. In World Book Student. Retrieved from
http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar610440

Explore Further

The causes of World War I by Tony Allan
Call Number: 940.311 ALL
ISBN: 9780431120065
Publication Date: 2002
Assassination in Sarajevo : 28 June 1914 by Alex Woolf
Call Number: 940.311 WOO
ISBN: 9780750235648
Publication Date: 2004

PODCASTS

The Contested Beginning
This interesting podcast from the ABC features historians debating the causes of WWI
Dan Carlin's Blueprint for Armageddon
For the true history buff out there you must check out Dan Carlin's extensively researched and extremely detailed podcast. The first episode (which clocks in at three hours) examines the conditions that led to the assassination of Ferdinand.