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What caused World War One?
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Selected thesis
Imperial states sought to protect their empires from rivals.
Pros
Cons
Pro claim 1, children below
According to Fritz Fischer,
Germany actively wanted to instigate a war
so to help them achieve their expansionist aims.
Pro claim 2, children below
Tensions between European states had increased as a result of their imperial expansions, especially after the start of Germany's imperial project in the late 19th century. Empires felt more vulnerable and worried about losing power.
Con claim 1, children below
The imperial explanation fails to account for how Europe was able to successfully avoid war during the Moroccan Crises and the Balkan Wars.