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CAUSES OF WWI
The following were all factors contributing to the breakout of the First World War:
Alliances: After the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck and William I of Germany set about
creating a complex system of alliances in order to keep France isolated. This served two
purposes-allowing the new nation of Germany to develop into a cohesive nation, but also
further humiliating France following an already humiliating defeat and territory loss.
Imperialism:
At the end of the 19th c., many European countries were industrialized. The Industrial
Revolution demanded a huge input of raw material and the development of markets to sell the
products being made. In order to guarantee a source for raw material and markets in which to
sell products, the industrialized countries set about dominating the many other regions of the
world. And so we had a race to establish colonies around the world. It was not only
governments doing so, but behind the scenes, the industries themselves were pushing the
governments for more foreign control.
The colonies were important for a number of reasons:
 A source for raw materials
 A market for selling the surplus of manufactured goods and for investments
 A place for the surplus population to move to
 Strategic reasons (location, rivalries, etc,)
 The prestige of it all
The search for colonies extended to Africa, Asia, Oceania, Central America and the Caribbean,
and South America. As competition to secure colonies rose, so did the tensions between all of
the countries who were participating.
Take a look at the two maps of Africa below. As you can see from the African example,
colonization happened quickly and was very dramatic. Bismarck even helped to spear head a
conference that set out guidelines of how the European powers were going to divvy up the
continent. After William II fired Bismarck and put his rules aside, the rapid colonization of
Africa was eventually called “The Scramble for Africa” as each country grabbed what they
could.
At one time, European powers dominated more than 90 % of the world’s surface.
The shaded areas were the parts of the world controlled by European powers at the end of the
19th century, and the areas covered by diagonal lines were once dominated by European
powers (especially Spain and Portugal who gave up control of their colonies somewhat early
just as others were starting to spread their empires.)
The period-also called the “New-Imperialism” is distinguished by an unprecedented pursuit of
what has been termed "empire for empire's sake," aggressive competition for overseas
territorial acquisitions and the emergence in colonizing countries of doctrines of racial
superiority which denied the right of the original citizens (Asians, Africans, etc.) to selfgovernment.
The effects of the Ottoman Empire:
The Ottoman Empire, centered in Turkey, became a very extensive empire stretching out to
parts of the Middle East, parts of Africa and up to the Balkans and into Eastern Europe. At one
time, they were the most expansive European power.(1830)
At the end of the 19th century, they lost the last of
their European territory, having to give the Balkan
states (Greece, Yugoslavia, Romania, Serbia, etc.)
independence following a costly war.
The imperialist possession of the Balkans
The Balkans, previously dominated by the Ottoman Empire, were now sought after by Russia
and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The two countries wanted to expand their empire either by
force or by Slavic solidarity. Stayed tuned to see how this conflict develops.
Nationalism
Nationalism is loyalty and patriotism for one’s country. At the end of the 19th c., nationalism
was very strong in the imperialist countries, but it was often ethnocentric. This meant that each
nation thought that their culture was the best and should most often dominate over the others.
This belief fed the conflict between imperialist nations as they tried to dominate one another
via economies, colonies, etc.
Great-Britain vs. France vs. Germany
GB was the most dominant empire with the strongest economy and colonial power. This
position of superiority left many imperialist countries jealous, especially Germany and France.
France was seeking revenge against Germany after its humiliating defeat in the FrancoPrussian war of 1870-1871. They ultimately wanted to regain the provinces of AlsaceLorraine.
Germany’s states were united after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, which disturbed the
balance of European powers. The defeat of France solidified German nationalism which
brought new alliances and new colonial rivalries.
Slavic nationalism
The developing nationalism in the region of the Balkans was just fuel on the fire with all the
brewing conflict among the European industrial powers. This nationalism was a threat to the
Austro-Hungarian Empire who had moved in to rule parts of the regions. It was (of course) not
impressed, and developed a national policy against the nationalistic Slavs. The young Serbs
living in the area wanted to unify all the Slavic countries of the Balkans into one single
country: Yugoslavia. Many secret societies were formed faced with a threat from AustriaHungary. A terrorist group- The Black Hand – was formed to advance the radical agenda of
the immediate expulsion of the Austro-Hungarian rule from the Balkans. They were ready to
do anything to accomplish their goal.
Militarism: When a country’s army and military forces are given a high profile by the
government, sometimes even over the government. There is a glorification and a readiness for
war. The military becomes the supreme ideal for promoting and defending the interests of the
nation.
The effect on Europe:
The concept of militarism lead to an arms race between the imperialist countries and between
the two major alliances: the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. Each side felt it was
necessary to build more weapons and military machinery in order to be seen as stronger than
the other side. They were also focusing their efforts on research and development to create
new weapons and technologies.
Germany was growing her army and both she and France were developing their war strategy.
The tensions between the two countries had not been resolved since the Franco-Prussian War
and both were trying to protect themselves from the other.
The German army was the best prepared. They had created the strongest army in Europe; it
was well equipped and well trained. Like all armies except Britain’s, Germany’s army
recruited based on conscription (compulsory-forced- military service). GB didn’t use
conscription and depended mostly on its navy, which was the biggest and most powerful in
Europe.
As for military plans, Germany was ready with the Schlieffen plan: a speedy attack on France
by the north before Russia could come to its side. The French had Plan XVII: which relied on
the principle of élan (a swift attack), a plan depending on the courage of soldiers much like the
French Revolution
European crisis
Moroccan crisis:
Both France and Germany wanted to extend their influence to Morocco because of its strategic
location south of the Gibraltar strait which separates Africa from Europe and the
Mediterranean from the Atlantic. At a major conference held to settle the dispute, the
European powers rallied around France against German interests for Morocco which then
made Germany want revenge against France and its allies. Eventually, the friction unresolved,
Morocco became unstable again leading to a military confrontation between Germany and
France when Germany hastened a battle ship to Morocco’s aid. Eventually the dispute was
resolved, but once again France won, giving Germany only a few pieces of measly territory in
the French Congo.
Balkan crisis:
This was the most unstable area of Europe. Controlled for centuries by the Ottoman Empire,
they finally gained their independence in the 19th century. But, in the beginning of the 20th c.,
the Balkans were in complete chaos as the countries fought over the placement of the new
borders.
The major industrial nations in Europe were watching. Four countries wanted a piece of the
Balkans: the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Austria and Italy.
 The Ottoman Empire wanted to regain the territory they had lost.
 Russia has many reasons to be interested: being of Slavic descent themselves - they
considered themselves the protectors of the Slavic people in the Balkans, they were also
distrustful of the intentions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Balkans, and finally –
Russia wanted a sea-port access to the Mediterranean which they could only obtain via
the Balkan countries.
 Austria-Hungary was distrustful of Russia and wanted to extend their influence into the
Balkans, especially into Bosnia-Herzegovina.
 Even Italy wanted a piece of the action, wanting to seize Albania which was just across
the water from Italy.
The most dangerous question was the interest of Bosnia-Herzegovina and who was to claim
her: Russia or Austria-Hungary?