The 'spark' or short term cause that began world war i was which of the following? the assassination of archduke franz ferdinand imperialistic competition among european nations military build up in industrialized countries the growth of european alliances the build up of one's military and weapons is called propaganda militarism nationalism imperialism which of the following was a member of the central powers (triple alliance)? russia united states germany serbia when the heir to the throne of austria-hungary was assassinated in 1914, what country was blamed? question 5 options: serbia germany prussia united states