Causes of WWI: Talking Points

Causes of WWI

Home Strife

Imperialism

Nationalism

Causes of WWI• Home Strife: issues within one’s own country can cause a

government to try to divert their people’s attention

• Militarism: policy of building up strong military forces to prepare for war often leads to war

• Alliances: agreements between nations to aid and protect one another can cause small conflicts to become bigger

• Imperialism: Colonies can help economically and politically; it can cause jealousy from other countries

• Nationalism: intense devotion to one’s ethnicity causes the break-up of countries, coming to aid people within a country, or trying to prove one’s country is the best