Germany was a growing power during this era and many people feared its conquest to become a ‘Great Power.’ Due to its choice of allies prior to World War I, Germany may have given the impression that they wanted a war. Despite the balance of power the Germany had many advantages and was seen as a potential hegemonic power. A first glance at Germanys decision to support Austria-Hungary makes you wonder why they would align with a weaker power. Germany had other personal motives behind their support for Austria-Hungary. Germany’s alliance behavior and decision to support Austria-Hungary may have been the start of WWI.
During the early 1900s the world had various hegemonic powers but there was a balance of power. There was smaller power as well …show more content…
Smaller powers often align with large powers for protection, given that they too had something to offer to the alliance. Although there was a balance, some of the larger powers actions could have at any time disrupted the balance of power.
During this time, there were norms but nobody to enforce international law like there is today. Germany was aware of this and wanted to use it to their advantage. Germany believed that if they didn’t take the lead and become a ‘Great Power,’ somebody else would. Germany had a pretty good idea of who wanted to be that power, Russia. The suspicions, tension, and arms race between states grew and started to disrupt the equilibrium.
Alliance behavior prior to 1914 had the same underlying factor as it did after 1914. That factor was fear and often the desire to have power. In result of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, Germany had united as a federation of states. France had suffered a hit after it was defeated by Germany. Author said, “The creation of the German Empire and its annexation of French territory, made another European war likely as soon as France recovered,” (book). Germany immediately displayed fast population growth followed by rapid …show more content…
But in 1898, Germany began to challenge the previous norm and challenge the British Navy buy building up its own. If an opportunity arose where a state could invest and advance their military then they would (Magagna, 4-15). This eventually leads to the arms race that began in 1906. The arms race was a military race by all country’s to build up and make sure the exerted the same or more power as their rival country. The British had built and new big-gun battleship. That fueled Germany’s insecurity’s about being powerful and they too began building battleships. Germany set out to have the most power Navy. Germanys quickly rose and it made them seem like they were seeking war. They were in a hurry to build the biggest military. They worked hard and eventually passed up Britain and became the leading manufacturer in Europe. Germany wanted to exert influence around the world. This was a big threat to other major powers such as Britain. Germany wanted to take Britain’s place
During the early 1900s the world had various hegemonic powers but there was a balance of power. There was smaller power as well …show more content…
Smaller powers often align with large powers for protection, given that they too had something to offer to the alliance. Although there was a balance, some of the larger powers actions could have at any time disrupted the balance of power.
During this time, there were norms but nobody to enforce international law like there is today. Germany was aware of this and wanted to use it to their advantage. Germany believed that if they didn’t take the lead and become a ‘Great Power,’ somebody else would. Germany had a pretty good idea of who wanted to be that power, Russia. The suspicions, tension, and arms race between states grew and started to disrupt the equilibrium.
Alliance behavior prior to 1914 had the same underlying factor as it did after 1914. That factor was fear and often the desire to have power. In result of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, Germany had united as a federation of states. France had suffered a hit after it was defeated by Germany. Author said, “The creation of the German Empire and its annexation of French territory, made another European war likely as soon as France recovered,” (book). Germany immediately displayed fast population growth followed by rapid …show more content…
But in 1898, Germany began to challenge the previous norm and challenge the British Navy buy building up its own. If an opportunity arose where a state could invest and advance their military then they would (Magagna, 4-15). This eventually leads to the arms race that began in 1906. The arms race was a military race by all country’s to build up and make sure the exerted the same or more power as their rival country. The British had built and new big-gun battleship. That fueled Germany’s insecurity’s about being powerful and they too began building battleships. Germany set out to have the most power Navy. Germanys quickly rose and it made them seem like they were seeking war. They were in a hurry to build the biggest military. They worked hard and eventually passed up Britain and became the leading manufacturer in Europe. Germany wanted to exert influence around the world. This was a big threat to other major powers such as Britain. Germany wanted to take Britain’s place