[kms61]

I disagree. The European powers had been on a collision course since at least the 1890's, and had been close to war on several occasions. WWI was going to happen. If Gavrilo Princip hadn't triggered it, someone or something else would have.

[Junior]

The line-up might have been different, though. France and Great Britain were about ready to cut each other's throats (c.f. the Fashoda Incident) -- and the Kaiser had familial ties with the British Royal Family.

However, it was the violation of Belgium that brought Britain into the war against Germany and on the side of France...