A series of complicated factors caused the war, including a brutal assassination that propelled Europe into the greatest conflict the continent has ever known.  In June 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sofia traveled to Bosnia-which had been annexed by Austria-Hungary- for a state visit. On June 28, the couple went to the capital city of Sarajevo to inspect Imperial troops stationed there. As they headed toward their destination, they narrowly escaped when Serbian terrorists threw a bomb at their open-topped car.  Their luck ran out later that day when their driver drove them past 19 year old Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip-who shot and killed Franz Ferdinand and his wife at point blank range.  Austria-Hungary was furious and, with Germany's support, declared war on Serbia on July 28.  Within days, Germany declared war on Russia-Serbia's ally-and invaded France via Belgium, which then caused Britain to declare war on Germany.    New industrial and manufacturing technologies created the need to dominate new territories and their natural resources, including oil, rubber,coal, iron, and other raw materials.      With the British empire extending to five continents and France controlling many of the African colonies, Germany wanted a larger slice of the territorial pie. As countries vied for position, tensions rose, and they formed alliances to position themselves for European dominance.                                The Rise of Nationalism Undermined Dilpomacy:  During the 19th century, rising nationalism sweep through Europe.  As people took more pride in country and culture, their desire to rid themselves of imperial rule increased.  In some cases, however, imperialism fed nationalism as some groups claimed superiority over others.  This widespread nationalism is thought to be a general cause of WW I.  For instance, after Germany dominated France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, France lost money and land to Germany, which then fueled French nationalism and a desire for revenge.  Nationalism played a specific role in WW I when Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Princip, a member of a Serbian nationalist terrorist group fighting against Austria-Hungary's rule over Bosnia.      In 1882, Kings William I, Franz Joseph and Umberto I, signed a Triple Alliance treaty, between the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and the kingdom of Italy. Entangled alliances created two competing groups:  In 1879, Germany and Austria-Hungary allied against Russia. In 1882, Italy joined their alliance (the triple alliance) and Russia responded in 1894 by allying with France.  In 1907, Great Britain, Russia and France formed the Triple Entente to protect themselves against Germany's growing threat. Soon, Europe was devided into two groups:  The central powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; and the allies, which included Russia, France and Britain.    Militarism sparked an arms race:  In the early 1900's, many European countries increased their defense budgets. But Germany was by far the most militaristic country in Europe at the time.  By July 1914, it had increased its military by a massive 79 percent. Germany was also in an unofficial war with Britain for naval superiority.  They doubled their naval battle fleet as Britain's Royal Navy produced the first Dreadnought battleship-which could outgun and outrun any other battleship in existence.  Not to be outdone, Germany built its own fleet of Dreadnaughts. By the start of WW I, the European powers were not just prepared for war, they expected it and some even counted on it to increase their world standing.            Although the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the spark that caused Austria-Hungary to strike the first blow, all the European powers quickly fell in line to defend their alliances, preserve or expand their empires and display their military might and patriotism.