Wilhelm II and the Zabern affair of 1913 are often cited as examples of the overbearing
power of militarism. Therefore it is clear that militarism played a major role towards
pushing the great powers towards battle in 1914.
The European alliance systems such as the dual alliance of 1879 and the triple
alliance of 1882 had effects towards the outbreak of war in 1914. The Important clauses
of the Triple Alliance treaty were too short and simple. The simple wording gave each
of the powers flexibility to act in its own interests in a situation where war threatened.
The creation of the Franco-Russian treaty provided speedy military response to any
possible aggressive moves by the triple alliance. Much of the evidence points out that
the existence of one alliance led to the creation of another which eventually led to war.
Sidney Fay, an American History professor states that all the major European countries
were responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914. And he puts the alliance system at the
top of his list of causes. President Wilson pointed out that pre-war alliances with their
secret clauses had provoked fear and mistrust among the countries against whom they
were aimed and eventually led to war. But Historian A.J.P. Taylor did not see the
alliance system as the cause of war. And according to him the cause of war was the
breakdown of the balance of power. After considering the above-mentioned facts, it can
be stated that the effects of the alliance systems influenced the outbreak of war in 1914.
Imperialism, which can be interpreted to mean formal annexation and political
rule, also had its effects towards the outbreak of war in 1914. According to Stuart T.
Miller, by the late nineteenth century, there was an intensifying competition between the
European imperialist countries for raw materials and markets. Lenin stated that
imperialism was the highest stage of capitalism when he argued that the First World
War was the outcome of the world being eventually divided up. According to historian
Giles Pope, the connections between imperialism and the outbreak of the First World
War are indirect and rely on the theories of economists. A. J. P. Taylor denies any link
between imperialism and the outbreak of war. But according to many other historians,
imperialism and the outbreak of war can be connected. The two Moroccan crises in
1905 – 1906 and in 1911 where the Germans tried to prevent France from colonizing
Morocco, almost led to war. Therefore the indirect connection between imperialism and
the outbreak of war in 1914 is visible.
The Russians, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy all had their own interests in
the Balkans. And they were all waiting for a chance to gain control. They got the chance
in 1908 when a group known as the ‘Young Turks’ caused chaos in Turkey. Emperor
Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary took over Serbs and made an enemy of Serbia. The
Balkan countries formed the Balkan League and attacked Turkey. But very soon the
four kings of the Balkan league made wars on each other. To make matters worse the
Sarajevo murders led to another war in the Balkans. And that war led to final showdown
in 1914. Therefore we see that nationalism in the Balkans was a direct link to the
outbreak of war in 1914.
In conclusion, it can be stated that militarism, the effects of the alliance systems,
imperialism and nationalism were some of the main issues which threatened the
European peace and stability between 1890 – 1914.
