Cause and Consequence

Origins of WW1

The Alliance System

DEFN – The division of the major European powers into two rival camps.

PURPOSE – increase the security of each country against a common threat.

CONSEQUENCE – increased fear and suspicion among rivals and contributed to total war.

Imperialism

DEFN – The major European powers built empires by colonizing countries and regions around the globe. Each European power used their colonies, or

spheres of influence, to their own economic and military advantage.

PURPOSE – colonies became increasingly important for several reasons:

►a source of resources / raw materials ►an international market for goods and investment

►an outlet for surplus population ►strategic reasons and political influence

►domination and prestige

CONSEQUENCE – The rivalry for colonies in such regions as Africa and China caused a number of crises, increasing tension among the already hostile

powers. Germany started late in the race for colonies making it particularly aggressive in claiming a place among the other Empires.

Militarism

DEFN – Militarism is often referred to as the arms race. It is a policy or belief in the power of a strong military to decide issues, influence international relations and determine the most powerful empire.

PURPOSE – to guarantee peace or stability by preparing for war.

CONSEQUENCE – The build up of rival alliances included a race to build the most powerful military. Each alliance believed it was critical to build up their armies, navies and weapons so as to be stronger than the other side. This build up heightened the fear and suspicion between the

two alliances, neither being able to stop for fear the other side would become stronger.

Nationalism (Extreme Nationalism)

DEFN – Nationalism is linked to identity and the desire to promote the interests of one’s own ethnic group / homeland.

PURPOSE – The aim of nationalist movements is to establish an independent state for their own ethnic group (which could be tied to a

particular geographic homeland).

CONSEQUENCE – Nationalism developed into a struggle between the major European powers to dominate each other.

EXAMPLE – The Austro-Hungarian Empire felt threatened by Serbian nationalism and was opposed to it in the Balkans. Russia hoping to

extend its power in the Balkans became an advocate of Serbian nationalism.

Crises Before the War

►Moroccan Crises – A colonial dispute between France and Germany over control of Morocco.

►The Balkan Crises – Unresolved conflicts between powerful empires (Austro-Hungary, Russia, Turkey) and newly formed independent states (Greece, Rumania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro) over borders and

ultimate control in the region.

CONSEQUENCE – The Moroccan and Balkan crises kept up the tension between the major powers and ensured that even a minor

incident could spark a conflict.

Ideological Struggle

BETWEEN - Democracy and Autocracy

REASON – One group of states was committed to liberal and democratic values and the other to militarist dictatorship.

CONSEQUENCE - The ideology of democracy & capitalism would prove to be a rival to fascism & communism for the rest of

the 20th century.