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The Causes Of World War I June 15, 1998 World War I, like many events in history, occurred in the wake of numerous and equally influential events that led to a single outcome. Yet, there are still ideas that there was one major cause, and other smaller, less important causes. Some historians have argued that imperialism should bear the responsibility, while others claim that nationalism was the cause. And still others say that the alliance system was the reason WWI began, while still, militarism is sometimes believed to be the main cause. Each of these factors can each be fairly argued when looked at in further depth.
Imperialism, by definition, is? domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region? . Before the outbreak of WWI, economic rivalries poisoned the international atmosphere. Germany? s new modern factories increasingly outproduced Britain? s older ones.
Britain consequently had strong economic reasons to oppose Germany is any conflict. Germany, in turn, thought the other great powers did not give sufficient respect to them. This force caused an extraordinary amount of tension between not only Britain and Germany, but throughout many other European countries. Nationalism is a force that can be positive, binding together a nation? s people, or negative, from national pride fueling negative conflicts. Unfortunately, in this case, nationalism was a negative force that assisted the commencement of WWI.
In Germany and France, nationalism was powerful. Germans were proud of their new empire? s military power and industrial leadership; while France yearned to repossess its position as Europe? s foremost domination.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe, Russia sponsored a powerful form of nationalism called Pan-Slavism. By the standards of Pan-Slavism, all Slavic peoples shared a common nationality. Russia felt that it had a duty to lead and defend all Slavs, and soon, it stood ready to support Serbia, an ambitious young Slavic nation. Nationalism increased strain on international affairs, and heightened the fear of a world war. Militarism and the alliance system, together, caused hysteria throughout countries around the world. Under militarism, or the laudation of military, the armed forces and readiness for war came to dominate national policy.
Militarists painted war in romantic colors. young men dreamed of blaring trumpets and heroic cavalry charges, not at all the sort of conflict that they would soon face. As international tensions elevated, the great powers expanded their armies and navies. The result was an arms race that further increased suspicions and made war more likely. The most tension was between Britain and Germany.
To protect its vast overseas empire, Britain had built the world? s most respected navy. When Germany began to acquire more colonies, it began to aggrandize its own navy. Britain retaliated by increasing its naval spending. This constant tension and dominating attitude of the feuding countries led to pressure and an even greater fear of war. The alliance system was established to protect the great powers in case of war.
Nations signed treaties pledging to defend each other in case of an attack on their country. However, instead of supplying security to the nations, apprehension and fear arose in the alliances. The thought of making treaties to protect from war put the idea of war straight into people? s minds, and increased the public hysteria and fear of conflict.
In 1914, WWI erupted and shortly became known as? The Great War? . Millions of men from many countries were sent to war in an effort to win. If there was one true cause for the WWI, it is difficult to determine.
Whether nationalism, imperialism, militarism or the alliance system were the most significant in the commencement of WWI, it can be easily agreed that WWI was a long difficult war for all countries, and shall never be forgotten for the event that it was.
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