Cause and Effects of WWI Many causes of WWI lead to the devastating after-effects of the war.

It first began with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. The Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, hoped to start a war that would bring down the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Soon, nations were trying to employ imperialistic tactics to control over the much unstable nations. In November 1917, Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, overthrew the Russian government implementing a communist government in its place. As a result, tensions were rising and led to various confrontations between various ethnic groups. Alliances between many nations upset the balance of power in Europe. Later, German Uboats attacked merchant ships located in the war zone. Lusitania was sunk by German Uboats. Shortly afterwards, the Zimmerman note was intercepted. Germany was trying to recruit Mexico to fight the U.S. In return, Mexico would get back New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. By the end of the war, a total of approximately eight million soldiers were killed. Shortly after, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. It forced Germany to pay heavy reparations for all the damages, leaving Germany in debt with a crumbling economy. Also, the League of Nations was formed. Together all the nations joined to work for the common goal of peace and security. The belief of nativism also appeared after the war as well. Nativism is the belief that native born Americans should have more favor and privileges than immigrants. There was also the belief that communists would rise again causing what was known as the Red Scare. By 1939, Hitler rose to power and WWII began.