What long term tensions caused World War 1?

Long-term tensions that contributed to the outbreak of World War I included militarism, alliances, Imperialism, and nationalism. The arms race and the formation of complex alliances, such as the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, heightened mistrust among nations. Additionally, the competition for colonial territories fueled imperial rivalries, while rising nationalist sentiments in various ethnic groups created instability in multi-ethnic empires. These factors created a volatile environment that ultimately led to the war following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.