Learning Objective
Explain the causes and consequences of World War I.
Historical Developments
The causes of World War I included imperialist expansion and competition for resources. In addition, territorial and regional conflicts combined with a flawed alliance system and intense nationalism to escalate the tensions into global conflict.
- How did each of the following lead the WWI?
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
- How did Nationalism and the Assassination spark the war?
The Causes of the Great War
NationalismNationalism is a belief, creed, or political ideology that involves an individual identifying with an imagined political community (a nation-state). The creation of a national identity usually involves the collective recognition of a common birthplace, a common culture (religion, language, food, music, etc.), and a common history.
The creation of a national identity also involves what psychologists refer to as "an awareness of difference" - a feeling and recognition of 'we' and 'they.' Increasingly, nationalism caused people to view themselves as superior to other nations. That sense of superiority and belonging to a nation was strengthened by the competition of the 20th Century. All European nations competed to be the best. They all saw one another as external threats causing individuals to seek to unite with fellow-countrymen for mutual protection against that common threat. Thus, National identity became personally meaningful for personal and national protection. Nationalism thus helped erase economic and class struggles uniting nations in the face of threats. MilitarismAlso contributing to the war was industrialized militarism. The Industrial Revolution offered new methods of shipbuilding, the use of iron, steel, and chemicals for new weapons. All of the great powers had considerable standing armies. Most had established conscription, or a military draft, as a regular practice. European armies doubled in size from 1980 to 1914.
More than just men, European armies developed new weapons such as submarines, tanks, airplanes, poison gas, machine guns, and barbed wire. European nations also made complex plans for quickly mobilizing millions of soldiers and enormous quantities of supplies in case of a war, Furthermore, military men enjoyed high social status in a militaristic state. These states glorified war believing the military equated to strength and honor for the nation. |
ImperialismImperialism or a stronger nation having control over a weaker nations politics, economy and society also played a role in the Great War. Imperial expansion for wealth and power led to conflict between imperial nations. Historical rivalries sharpened as Italy and Germany began to industrialize thus joining the competition for colonies and resources. However, there was no more land to conquer making war between Imperial powers almost a foregone conclusion.
AlliancesAt the same time, a system of alliances escalated the possibility of a war. European powers were divided into two alliances. On the one had there was the Triple Alliance that included Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary. On the other hand you had France, Great Britain, and Russia making up the Triple Entente. Those alliances meant that if anyone country would go to war, the allies would be forced to war as well.
The Spark That Began the WarNationalism also played a part in starting the war. In 1914 Serbia, backed by Russia, was determined to create a large independent Slavic state called Greater Serbia in the Balkans. Many Slavs lived in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Thus Austria-Hungary was determine to prevent this from happening.
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, was assassinated by the Black Hand a terrorist group that wanted to help create the Serbian state. The Austro-Hungarian government chose to invade Serbia in retaliation for the murder. Because of the Alliance system, that invasion pushed multiple countries into war. |