Nationalism, Industrialization, Imperialism, and the alliance systems all helped encourage the war. The United States felt pressures to enter the war, and even though they wanted to remain neutral, they couldn't. .
Nationalism is the belief that national interests should be placed ahead of regional concerns and that foreign policy should be guided by national self-interest. The unification in Germany in 1871 was the result of their Prussian victory over France. The Slavik people were in the interest of Russia, no matter which government the Serbs lived under. As Germany industrialized it competed with France and Great Britain in the context for colonies, which supplied imperial powers with raw materials such as cotton, oil, and rubber, as well as markets for manufactured goods. Imperialism is the policy of extending a nation's authority over other countries, by economic, political or military means. Britain, France, and Germany all wanted authority over each others country. Hostilities, jealousy, and fear led the nations of Europe to support one another if they faced attack. By 1914, two major alliances were formed. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy joined together to become the Triple Alliance. The other alliance was the Triple Entente, which consisted of Great Britain, Russia, and France. .
The Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, who was a member of the secret society call the Black Hand. The plan was to unite the Serbs under one government. Austria-Hungary hoped to finally put an end to Serbian uprisings. Immediately, countries united. Germany was obligated by a treaty to help Austria-Hungary, who declared war on Russia. Germany then declared war on Russia's ally, France. Great Britain was linked by treaty with France, and they declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. Now the Great War had started.
From 1914-1916 the United States had $3 billion trade with Great Britain and France, while the U.