Alliances were a major reason the war became bigger. If there hadn’t been alliances, the assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandArchduke Franz FerdinandArchduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria of Austria (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914) was the heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary. His assassination in Sarajevo was the most immediate cause of World War I.

How did alliances cause World War I?

Mutual Defense Alliances
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war.

What effect did alliance have on ww1?

Though their significance is often misunderstood or exaggerated, alliances are one of the best-known causes of World War I. While alliances did not force nations to war in 1914, they nevertheless drew them into confrontation and conflict with their neighbours.
 

Was the alliance system to blame for ww1?

In conclusion, whilst alliances were a key cause of tension, and certainly escalated the war, they were neither the dominant long-term cause, nor the trigger which actually caused war to break out in 1914.

How do alliances affect war?

Alliances are typically reciprocal, in that countries promise to defend each other in the event of attack. Countries and their citizens profit from having allies, for example, because alliances deter foreign aggression.