The Naval Race was an effect of imperialistic rivalry between the countries, as both wanted to outdo the other. Both Britain and Germany were imperialistic countries, gaining power over different areas of land, expanding their empire. The Morocco Crisis was an incident in which imperialism played a major role in arousing tension between Germany and Britain. The Mediterranean was an important trade route for British ships to get to and from the British colony of India. They saw Morocco as important and therefore said it could be France’s sphere of influence, but Germany challenged this in an attempt to break down the Triple Entente. The Kaiser demanded Morocco was independent, but only Austria-Hungary supported him. This strengthened the Triple Entente and caused a lot of tension between Britain and Germany. Also, as in the naval race, it led to Germany feeling humiliated, which may have been an explanation for their future actions.
Anglo – German colonial rivalry led to extra tension between the countries. Britain had a global empire, whereas Germany only controlled a few small areas, so people have argued that Germany’s desire to gain land and expand their colonies was a reason they entered the war. Others argue that Germany was only interested in her position in Europe, not worldwide. Also, German colonies were not providing any income, so they didn’t expect new colonies to make money. So, it is debatable, but it is a possibility that colonial rivalry led to tension between Germany and Britain, and may have held some responsibility for the outbreak of World War One.
Germany’s policy of Weltpolitik also resulted in a lot of tension and rivalry with Britain. In the early 1900’s, Britain was the leading world power, but Germany wanted to have this position and become even more powerful than Britain. This led to Britain being suspicious of Germany and Germany being suspicious of Britain. This can be seen as both a cause and result of the Anglo-German rivalry. It also led to Britain joining the war, as they didn’t want Germany to become to powerful and helping themselves to British colonies.
Some historians argue that Anglo-German economic rivalry was also to blame for the outbreak of war, but others disagree, saying that with or without economic rivalry, war was still inevitable. It cannot be doubted that there was a certain degree of economic jealousy between Germany and Britain. There was a definite suspicion over the intents of the economic pursuits, which led to tension between the countries. This made the atmosphere worse, but is not a key issue, although it does contribute to the rivalry between Germany and Britain, which may have led to war.
It can therefore be seen that there was a great deal of tension and rivalry between Germany and Britain. The humiliation of Germany during the Naval race and Morocco Crisis may have led to them wanted revenge to win back some of their lost pride, which is a possible explanation for their entrance into the war. Germany’s desire to dominate the whole of Europe and become the major world power may have also led to the outbreak of World War One, as some believe that Britain joined to prevent Germany becoming too powerful. Also, the alliance system led to Britain supporting Belgium when Germany invaded their neutrality. Anglo – German rivalry was not the only factor to hold responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War. Many other issues caused tension between other countries were also to blame and maybe without these other issues, war wouldn’t have broken out.
Whilst the naval race was happening, countries were also taking part in the Arms Race. Being an island, Britain didn’t need to take part in the Arms Race, as they concentrated on naval defence, but the other countries all battled to build the biggest army and better weapons. As in the naval race, the Arms Race caused a lot of tension and mistrust between countries, which may have led to the future events.
Nationalism, the loyalty to your countries political and economic goals, also aroused tension all over Europe. It encouraged public support for military build up and use of force to reach the countries goals. It also caused problems for Austria – Hungary and the Balkans, as there were areas of conflicting national groups. Nationalism also led to a lot of rivalry between Serbia and Russia and Austria – Hungary, as it meant that Serbia and Russia were willing to support each other. So, nationalism led to rivalry between many countries and could have been slightly to blame for the outbreak of World War One.
The troubles in the Balkans during 1912 and 1913, affected many countries and caused a lot of anxiety. During the 1st Balkan War, the Balkan League, consisting of Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria, attacked Turkey, aiming to take over all remaining Turkish territory in Europe. This uprising worried the leading world powers as they thought that they might lose their leadership power. The issue was settled in a London Peace Conference, when it was decided what Turkish states were to be given to the Balkan League, but Serbia were unhappy, as they wanted to take Albania. Austria – Hungary were blamed for Serbia’s unhappiness, as they insisted on the independence of Albania, leading to rivalry between them. After the Treaty of Bucharest, war was inevitable, as Serbia grew and gained confidence, which stirred up Serbs and Croats in Bosnia, part of the Austro – Hungarian Empire. So, Austria – Hungary wanted to attack Serbia, and visa versa and considering World War One started with the Austro – Serbian war, the troubles in the Balkans can be seen as very important in the outbreak of the First World War.
The Franco – Prussian War led to a lot of rivalry between Germany and France. Germany beat France in the war and took Alsace and Lorraine from them, which obviously caused a great deal of anger by the French. They wanted revenge and wanted to win back the land they had lost to Germany.
Many historians consider the events of the summer in 1914 to be the major trigger for World War One. Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro – Hungarian throne was visiting the army in Bosnia, which was controlled by Austria – Hungary. Whilst Franz Ferdinand was visiting the army, he was assassinated by Gavrillo Princip, a member of Young Bosnia, an organisation that wanted to throw off Austro – Hungarian rule and join Serbia. This was an opportunity for Austria – Hungary to declare war on Serbia. It was this declaration of war, which triggered off World War One. Russia said that they would support Serbia, leading to the Austro – Russian war. Germany had given Austria – Hungary a ‘blank cheque’, saying they would fully support them, which therefore meant that they had to fight with them. This in turn led to the Schlieffen plan being bought into action by Germany, and the invasion of Belgian neutrality, which led to Britain entering the war. So, the few bullets fired from Gavrillo Princip’s gun, led to the outbreak of the First World War.
All in all, it can be seen, that although Anglo – German rivalry did hold some responsibility for the outbreak of World War One, it is not solely to blame. Other factors, like Nationalism, the Arms Race and the events of 1914, hold just as much, and possibly more responsibility. Without the other factors, war would probably not have broken out, and if it did it would not have been on the global scale that it eventually was.
