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The causes for the beginning of the Great War included a regional conflict between tiny Serbia and the huge empire of Austria-Hungary, which was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist. Nationalism was strong throughout Europe among many countries, and this also led to rivalries, and also to new alliances between countries. Aggressive nationalism caused problems, especially between France and Germany. In Eastern Europe, the Slavic people felt it was their duty to defend all Slavs, including those living in Serbia. The Archduke ignored the wave of anti-Austrian sentiment in Serbia, and that led to his assassination. His death was an excuse for the Austrian-Serbia empire to wage war against Serbia and the Slavs. However, because of the new alliances created in Europe, once war broke out, each side was able to call on their allies to help them in the fight. Serbia had Russia and France on its side. Germany was against France in joining the conflict, and then declared war on France. Britain then joined in against Germany, and now many countries were in the Great War.