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The Origins of World War I The origins of the World War I can be directly traced to the shifting balance of power in Europe, and the rational responses of the major powers in regards to their respective security dilemmas. The end of the 19th century introduced Europe to a power struggle defined by multi-polarity. With the absence of a clear hegemony, or dominant political, economic and military power, Europe was left highly unstable. This …

…While Kaiser Wilhelm never wanted a Great War, the structural factors of his inflexible military prevented him from attaining his one-front battle with Russia. Without hegemony in Europe, nervous alliances were created to maintain a balance of power and as structural realists explain, any anarchical situation among states creates a strong drive and search for power in order to be in the advantageous position. Germany searched and found their window for power, with disastrous results.