Sarah HukillP13-20-14WW1 FRQThe First World War was presented as the "war to end all wars" in order to bring together its fellow citizens to enlist. However, it failed to live up to its claims and many of those who survived the war were almost unaware of why they joined the war, besides fighting for their motherland. Among the causes of the First World War were the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nephew of the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the obligations of each country towards each other in an alliance which contributed to the The rapid escalation of a world war, the propaganda used to spread nationalism and militarism, as well as the imperialism that had previously caused many European countries to engage in aggression against each other. Nationalism had grown among the people of Serbia and the rest of Europe like a flame, leading to a small group of fanatics who sought to restore Greater Serbia to its former glory. They intended to achieve this by assassinating Francis Ferdinand, as he was an important figure in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but instead they received more than they bargained for. Since Serbia now posed a threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they would then invade Serbia, which would include each of their allies and their allies' allies to fight against each other as well. This had a domino effect, and then included the territories that imperialist fashion had led the great empires to acquire. The rest of Europe, meanwhile, had become increasingly fond of its countries and lands. Overflowing pride and the desire to prove that one's country is the best and most powerful was exactly what the leaders of these regions needed to persuade people to enlist in the war. The...... middle of paper ......h Serbia was not completely famous for imperialism but rather agitated by national pride). These causes and their consequences have shaped our modern world by defining the borders and countries we most often see today. Some would also argue that some of the effects of World War I were the rise of fascism which would later lead to the rise of Hitler in World War II to reunify the German provinces lost due to the Treaty of Versailles. Another result was the many deaths which occurred mainly due to diseases, but this later led to better medical technology. Nevertheless, World War I was inevitable due to growing competition from imperialism, all countries linked by alliances, and the growing sense of national and military pride among the population. All these tensions had to break at some point, and they did, starting with the assassination of François Ferdinand..