Causes of the First World War

In general, when people talk about the causes of the First World War they think of the obvious one - the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand. This clearly was the main spark to the war, but not many know the underlying reasons, that happened far before June 28th, 1914. For the previous fifty years before World War I, there were heightened feelings of nationalism which developed into the need for increased imperialism, militarism, and militaristic alliances. These changes in Europe lead to a war which the world will never forget.
Many alliances were formed during the years leadin…