Summary

Understand the main causes of world war I, which were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Also, understand the concept of "total war" and how propaganda played a role in turning WWI into one. 

• M.A.I.N. causes of World War I: militarism, alliance, imperialism, nationalism. 

M.A.I.N. (militarism, alliance, imperialism, and nationalism) were the causes of WWI which were set off by a "spark". This "spark" was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

• Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria-Hungary & was assassinated by a Serbian. This was the event that sparked World War I.
  

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Propaganda created a sense of nationalism in each country, and because of this civilians supported the war. This got every civilian involved, and it got all of the countries' resources to be sent to the war effort, making World War I a "total war."
  

• The leaders of each country had differing perspectives based on recent events, economic rivalries, and ideological conflicts.