Until the breakout of World War 1 in 1914, Europe had maintained an uneasy peace since 1871. Following its unification in 1871, Germany formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary in 1882 under the leadership of chancellor Otto von Bismarck. In 1894, William II dropped the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, prompting a Franco-Russian alliance. British-German relations also turned bitter because of William’s rash foreign policy. In 1907, Britain joined France and Russia, forming the alliance known as the Triple Entente. The continent was prepared for a conflict with all the major powers divided into two hostile camps. While the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 by the Serbian terrorist organization Black Hand seemed to be the immediate event that sparked the war, several long term underlying causes;
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In order to dominate non-European lands and people, European states were actively consolidating military power. In turn military authorities also gained power during this period, holding considerable sway over political and diplomatic authorities. From 1890-1914, German expenditure on arms had multiplied by 5, Russian expenditure by 3, and British by 2.5. (Doc 7) Germany and Russia did not have many colonial possessions, so their rapid accumulation of weapons was undoubtedly in anticipation of a war. Nationalist sentiment was very closely related to military might as it was a way of demonstrating superiority over other nations. The German chancellor who replaced Bismarck, von Bulow was a proponent of the belief that a strong army and navy was necessary for Germany to remain a power. He believed that it was a rule or be ruled situation. Without military superiority, Germany could not be allowed to exist peacefully, surrounded on both sides by its potential opponents, France and Russia. This state of being on the perpetual brink of war, further motivated militarism. (Doc
In order to dominate non-European lands and people, European states were actively consolidating military power. In turn military authorities also gained power during this period, holding considerable sway over political and diplomatic authorities. From 1890-1914, German expenditure on arms had multiplied by 5, Russian expenditure by 3, and British by 2.5. (Doc 7) Germany and Russia did not have many colonial possessions, so their rapid accumulation of weapons was undoubtedly in anticipation of a war. Nationalist sentiment was very closely related to military might as it was a way of demonstrating superiority over other nations. The German chancellor who replaced Bismarck, von Bulow was a proponent of the belief that a strong army and navy was necessary for Germany to remain a power. He believed that it was a rule or be ruled situation. Without military superiority, Germany could not be allowed to exist peacefully, surrounded on both sides by its potential opponents, France and Russia. This state of being on the perpetual brink of war, further motivated militarism. (Doc