What started the first world war?

Question: What started the first world war!?

I don't want a bunch of long paragraphs, just give me the simple reasons why it started!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrillo Princip, which meant that Austria-Hungary declarded war on Serbia, Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary, and then Germany got involved!.

Long term causes
- arms race
- alliance system
and a couple of others!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Austria wanted a war so they sent the Archduke Ferdinand to get assassinated!. in Serbia!. A terrorist group the Black Hand planned the assassination carried out by a young man named Princip!. Austria then sent a list of demands to Serbian of things they wanted them to do!. Serbia agreed to all but 2 not enough!. Austria attacked Serbia and World War One began!. By the way the Archduke was way down the list of royal familly!. EXPENDABLEWww@QuestionHome@Com

Gavrilo Princip, a 19 year old Serbian nationalist, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary!. In response, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia!. Then other countries joined in to support one side or the other!.

That's as simple as I can make it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

An acronym MAIN

M-militarism (nations made bigger militaries which led to other countries making bigger militaries until they ended up in combat)
A-Alliances (Balance of power; countries were scared one country was going to be extremely powerful so they made alliances with each other)
I- Imperalism (Countries often clashed with each other when colonizing other countries; like the Morrocan War)
N-nationism (Countries wanted their country to be the best)

WWI was technically started when Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was killed by someone from Germany but it was not the main cause!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

anti-german propaganda says the germans started all wars especially world ones!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife by a serbian in 1914!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com