In a paragraph of at least 5-7 sentences, describe three long-term factors that led to World War I; then describe the chain of events that caused the war to begin.

Answer:

Responses may vary but should contain some or all of the following information: There were three long-term factors that led to the war: nationalism, imperialism, and alliances. European nations had been competing with each other for land and resources. This led to an arms race that created bigger armies and a scramble for resources and territory around the world (imperialism). Much of this competition was fueled by intense national pride–a feeling called nationalism. Added to this, the nations had negotiated entangling alliances with each other. After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914, it set off a chain of events where first Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, followed by Serbia’s ally, Russia, declaring war on Austria-Hungary, and so forth. Within a matter of weeks, the entire continent was at war.