World War I began due to a complex web of alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and militarism across Europe. The immediate spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo in June 1914. This event triggered a chain reaction of mobilizations and war declarations among European powers.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers) faced off against Britain, France, Russia, and others (Allied Powers). Long-standing rivalries and an arms race contributed heavily to the war’s escalation into a global conflict.