by making sacrifices and by holding religious festivals
While there was much buildup pre-World War I, it is commonly understood that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo pushed the world to war as a result of a complex web of treaties and diplomatic obligations that quickly were triggered and resulted in sides being chosen.
The Sahel was the last area in the northern parts of Africa, where vegetation can survive and where people were living at the time. Following the Sahel to the North one can find the Sahara desert which is a natural barrier that no invading force could trespass.
I would say honesty, because people already thought he was very charismatic, that is one reason why he won the presidency.
[I'm not sure though, but that is the answer I would go with.] I hope this helps.