Yes, I do agree with this statement, as there cannot be just one factor that has such a large impact on so many countries, and people. As an example the first world war didn’t just start because a future emperor was assassinated, there were other causes as well, such as short term causes that the people living in Austria weren’t happy and that some of the people groups wanted complete independence from the Austrian throne.

The war, more importantly, was of course also started by long term causes, such as Serbian support for the people in Bosnia and their plotting against the Austrians.  Another long term factor was the fact that Germany had friendly relations with the Austrians and therefore guaranteed Austrian support in the war against Serbia, furthered by the fact that Russia had long term friendly treaties with the Serbs and so were willing to declare war.  I can continue by stating how the British had negotiations with Russia and France and therefore they would also be dragged into the war but in summary: wars are started by a multitude of factors that eventually become too powerful and so are able to push countries and their people into war.