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World WarⅠbroke out in July 1914.It came as an inevitable explosion of the major contradictions racking the capitalist world.The war was waged between two groups of imperialist powers，Allies and the Central European Powers.The Allies or the Entente consisted of Britain，France，Russia，the US and other countries.The Central European Powers consisted of Germany，Austria，Hungary，and later Turkey and Bulgaria.The basic causes of the war lay in the political，economic and colonial rivalries of the great powers，stretching back into the late 19th century.

First were the economic rivalries.Most of the major European powers became involved in tariff wars¹ and in competition for foreign markets at the turn of the centuries.The most serious economic rivalry developed between Britain and Germany because of the latter’s extraordinary rapid rate of industrialization in the late 19th century.By the beginning of the 20th century，Germany’s industrial manufacture had exceeded Britain’s capacity，and she took the first place in economy in Europe.This meant stiff competition for Britain in overseas markets.At the same time both Britain and Germany were building up naval strength in order to safeguard trade route and market shipping.

Economic rivalries brought colonial disputes.Since the Germans did not enter the colonial race until after their national unification in 1871，they were eager to demand redividing the world according to their economic strength.Britain then controlled the most part of the globe.So the competition for colonies was mainly restricted to Britain and Germany.

The colonial rivalries in turn brought about the forging of conflicting

alliance systems that were in large part responsible for the coming of war.By 1914all the major powers were aligned in rival alliance systems.Two military groups were formed on the eve of the First World War.

The immediate cause of the War was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand² of Austria at Sarajevo，Serbia on June 28，1914.Austria used this as an excuse for declaring war on Serbia.Russia supported Serbia，and Germany declared war on both Russia and France.When Germany invaded Belgium，which was neutral，Britain declared war on Germany.Then the war really spread in a large scale.