The major causes of World War I
The Great War (1914-1918) started in Europe as a result of tensions building up between the great European military and political powers. Among the principal causes listed by historians were: imperialism, nationalism, militarism, the system of alliances, domestic political factors and the eastern question regarding the Balkans.
In the years leading up to WWI many European nations had empires but the largest of all was the British Empire. Great Britain was happy to own almost a quarter of the world by 1900. British colonial possessions included India, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, some Pacific and Caribbean Islands, Egypt, and parts of Africa. The newly unified German Second Empire under Otto von Bismarck was the strongest …show more content…
Militarism which meant the military domination over the civilian and military influence over governments was prevalent in Europe before 1914. Generals and admirals had power to act as government, advising political leaders, influencing domestic policy and demanding increases in defense and arms spending. Militarism, nationalism and imperialism were all connected. At the time, military power was considered a measure of national and imperial strength. A powerful state needed a powerful military to protect its interests and support its policies. Thus great expenditure went into maintaining strong armies and navies to defend the homeland; to protect imperial and trade interests abroad: and to keep enemies at bay. Militarism was strongest in Germany. A combination of new weapons, technologies and developments in industrial production fueled a European arms
The Great War (1914-1918) started in Europe as a result of tensions building up between the great European military and political powers. Among the principal causes listed by historians were: imperialism, nationalism, militarism, the system of alliances, domestic political factors and the eastern question regarding the Balkans.
In the years leading up to WWI many European nations had empires but the largest of all was the British Empire. Great Britain was happy to own almost a quarter of the world by 1900. British colonial possessions included India, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, some Pacific and Caribbean Islands, Egypt, and parts of Africa. The newly unified German Second Empire under Otto von Bismarck was the strongest …show more content…
Militarism which meant the military domination over the civilian and military influence over governments was prevalent in Europe before 1914. Generals and admirals had power to act as government, advising political leaders, influencing domestic policy and demanding increases in defense and arms spending. Militarism, nationalism and imperialism were all connected. At the time, military power was considered a measure of national and imperial strength. A powerful state needed a powerful military to protect its interests and support its policies. Thus great expenditure went into maintaining strong armies and navies to defend the homeland; to protect imperial and trade interests abroad: and to keep enemies at bay. Militarism was strongest in Germany. A combination of new weapons, technologies and developments in industrial production fueled a European arms