To what extent was imperialism a cause in the outbreak of the First World War?The First World War , also known as the Great War, was a world war centered in Europe. this lasted from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918. After the war, the British Empire began to collapse and the German and Austro-Hungarian empires were dismantled. Imperialism was one of the major causes of the outbreak of World War I, as it set the great powers on the path to conflict. Equally significant were the alliance systems, which divided Europe in two, and nationalism, which created a desire for global recognition among people and nations. Imperialism was an important factor in the outbreak of World War I, as it created conflicts between European powers and led to a suspicious European environment. By the end of the 19th century, European powers had established political, military, economic and cultural dominance in Africa and Asia. Attracted by gold and diamonds, many European countries began to colonize Africa. Eventually the British entered the Transvaal, disrupting the lives of the Boers living there. The result was resentment and an intensification of hostilities between the two sides. Finally, in 1899, the allied Boer states of the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State declared war on Britain. Seeing this as an opportunity to strengthen its own position in Africa, Germany provided the Boers with superior weaponry that allowed them to fight until their capitulation in 1902. Shortly after the Boer War, fearing the German interference in its overseas possessions, Britain abandoned its policy. of Splendid Isolation and signed a naval treaty with Japan. In 1904, Russia's attempt to colonize Japanese-controlled Korea led to Japan declaring war. The government calculated that Germany had to bring the Triple Entente into battle before 1917 or it would be defeated. As a result, knowing that Russia would intervene and that the war would involve the entire Triple Entente, Germany gave a "blank check" to the Austro-Hungarians. On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The First World War had begun. Although World War I began in the summer of 1914, the causes of this world war go back further. Imperialism in Africa and the Balkans has created tension and conflict across Europe, leading to a hostile environment in Europe. Alliance systems have created unalterable military plans that place more trust in armed force than in diplomacy. Nationalism created an environment in Europe in which nations and people were eager to achieve global recognition and led to a naval and military arms race between Britain and Germany..