Rising tensions among major powers from "summary" of Outbreak of the First World War by David Stevenson
The years leading up to the outbreak of the First World War were marked by a palpable sense of tension among the major powers of Europe. This tension was the result of a complex web of political, economic, and military factors that had been building for decades. One of the key drivers of this tension was the system of alliances that had been established between the major powers. These alliances were intended to provide security and stability, but instead had the effect of creating a delicate balance of power that could easily be upset by a single event or miscalculation. In addition to the alliance system, the major powers were also engaged in a fierce competition for colonial territories and economic influence around the world. This competition heightened the sense of rivalry and mistrust between the powers, as each sought to secure its own interests at the expense of its rivals. This rivalry was particularly intense between Germany and Great Britain, as both nations vied for dominance in the fields of industry, commerce, and empire. Another source of tension among the major powers was the rapid pace of technological and military advancements that were taking place at the time. These advancements made it possible for nations to project power across greater distances and with greater force than ever before, leading to a heightened sense of insecurity and vulnerability among the major powers. The arms race that ensued only served to exacerbate these feelings of unease and suspicion. As the tension among the major powers continued to mount, a series of crises and conflicts erupted that brought the world to the brink of war. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 was the catalyst that finally set off the chain of events that would lead to the outbreak of the First World War. The alliances, rivalries, and technological advancements that had been building for years all came to a head in the summer of 1914, plunging the world into a devastating conflict that would change the course of history forever.
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