<span>He believed that a Southern Victory on Northern Soil would be a great blow to Northern morale.</span>
Imperialism, militarism, and nationalism contributed to the start of the war.
The immediate cause was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Hope I could help!
Are you asking what explains it or which as in you should've added multiple choice answers to choose from....
The nationalists were defeated in the civil war in china.