“Irresolvable international rivalries”, “fundamental economic and social problems”, “the deliberate decisions of politicians”, “sheer accident”: which of these was most important in bringing about the First World War?
... congress under Dutch rule. Revolutions and strong nationalistic movements during the 19th century succeeded in cancelling much of the retrogressive and antinationalist work of the congress. Belgium won its independence from the Netherlands in 1830, the unification of Italy was accomplished in 1861, and that of Germany in 1871. At the close of the century, however, the problem of nationalism was still unresolved in other areas of Europe, resulting in tensions both within the regions involved and between various European nations. As the industrial revolution throughout Europe was gaining momentum there was an increase in the economic growth and military power of the forerunners of industrialisation. This economic growth, combined with the ability to engage in a modern mechanized war, gave industrialized nations an advantage over other non-industrial nations, thus establishing them as super-powers. Each of them were expanding their military powers and putting their militant plans into action, causing tension between the great nations. Before 1914 the five great powers, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia controlled Europe via their industrial and economic power bases. Imperialism was rife as the great powers looked to enlarge their empires and subsequently raising the level of tension throughout Europe which then led to the outbreak of the First World War. The European powers had been taking over colonies throughout the world since the fifteenth century. From 1870 onward there existed in Europe a fierce rivalry to colonise parts of the world they had earlier considered worthless. Both Britain and Germany had almost gone to war with France over clashes in North Africa. Italy resented France because the French had prevented the setting up of an Italian colonial system, Britain and Russia clashed over who should have control in Persia (modern Iran), but both were concerned that Germany would gain a foothold in the Middle East. Imperialism had an important side effect that explains why the ‘Great War’ became a global world war. As each European country gained colonies, those colonies became committed to helping the ‘motherland’ in the event of a war. Added to the twin concepts of Nationalism and Imperialism there existed a strong militaristic culture within the continent of Europe in the early part of the twentieth century. Militarism was as prominent as ever, driven by technological innovation and the ever improving production processes of industry. As materials for weaponry and other war machines could be produced with less effort and in greater volume, countries were attempting to increase their stocks of weaponry and other instruments of war. The main protagonists in this situation were Britain and Germany. At the turn of the century, Britain had controlled the largest empire of all the European nations and also had the largest and most powerful navy in the world. Britain needed a large and powerful navy in order to protect their overseas territories and maintain sea routes between their various territories and colonies. Germany’s Kaiser Willem the Second was extremely envious of Britain’s position as the world’s leading maritime power and ordered the production of new Dreadnought-class battleships. Britain responded to the Germans attempt to equal its navy by creating a navy so large and powerful that no other nation’s navy would ever contemplate an attack. This head-to-head production period came to be known as the “Arms Race” and resulted in even more tension between the two nations. This rivalry between Germany and Britain arose due to the industrial and economic success of the Unified Germany. This resulted in a deep commercial rivalry between the two powers. Germany, as a relatively new nation, wanted a share of world power and developed a policy of “Weltpolitik”. To do this, Germany sought to develop her navy as a route to Imperial success. Britain saw Germany as a threat to her empire and feared Germany would use her navy to confront Britain’s Imperial position. When we look at “fundamental economic and social problems” we find that in Western Europe, economic growth, as a result of the industrial revolution, was alive and well. France was the exception to the rule as she had stayed with a predominately agrarian culture. European society was still held in the old class structure but the rise of Socialism encompassing the masses, the “bourgeois gentilhomme” of Europe was a direct result of the Industrial Revolution’s amalgamation of agriculturally based economies and the ensuing transformation of urbanisation factory developments into European powerhouses of industry. Domestically within the political and social environment of Europe’s superpowers, there existed a vast undercurrent of unrest. As the population and the economy of Germany grew, so too did the political unrest within the middle class. Britain, which was seen as the most stable political environment in Europe, was harbouring its own internal tensions, the troubles in Ireland, the Suffragette movement, the beginnings of a class struggle and the rising strength of the Unions. The old regimes including the right of centre regimes were being blown away, slowly but surely. “The deliberate decisions of politicians” leads us to look at the rather complicated alliance systems in place prior to the beginning of hostilities in 1914. Within Europe during the early years of the twentieth century, systems of military alliances were in place to provide the European powers with an internal and external security in the event of war. Two rival alliance systems were established. The Triple Alliance consisted of the Central Powers, Germany and Austria-Hungary; it had existed since 1879 when Bismarck had befriended the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the agreement, both countries pledged that they would go to the aid of the other if attacked by Russia. This was done to ensure that Germany would always have an allied nation as a buffer on its border if war was declared. Italy later joined this alliance in 1882, which remained intact until the beginning of World War I. The conditions of the alliance were altered after Italy had joined and stated that the Alliance would provide military aid to any member who was under attack from two or more countries. ...