increasing tension in europe between 1900 and 1914

     Germany was quickly becoming the most important industrial country in the world and also wanted to build up its empire and navy Britain did not like this as they were a trading nation and had the largest empire and navy at that time. Britain saw Germany as a threat and were worried about German development and so started to from alliances. Germany also got worried and started to form alliances the German Kaiser got annoyed with Britain for standing up for France at the algeciras conference in 1906 and blamed Britain for Germany’s defeat. Britain and Germany also got involved in a navel race and an arms race.

     In 1900 when war was looking probable most of the great powers started to build up their armies, started to develop new technology and introduced conscription. The build up of armies meant that Germany was the strongest country in Europe. Although Russia had the largest of the armies they were the most ill equipped. Italy was weak, as it was a new country. Britain did not introduce conscription and so it was the only country who’s number of soldiers fell 1900-1914 but Britain and France were expected to win any war as there soldiers had experience. Britain and Germany also had a navel race with the rapid building of dreadnoughts between 1906-1913 this was the main source of tension between Britain and Germany up until 1914 however as Britain had won this naval race this was not a main cause of Britain going to war.  

     The great powers were all worried of each other and going to war and so needed allies. In 1900 Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy signed a contract stating that they would help one another if they were attacked by any other power this was called a formal alliance. These three countries called themselves the triple alliance. A treaty made in 1894 in both countries agreed to help each other if Germany attacked allied France and Russia. In 1904 Britain signed an entante cordiale with France. Britain also reached a friendly agreement with Russia in 1907 and so these three countries became the triple entants. These alliances meant that 1 disagreement between 2 of the countries would result in a world war involving all the great powers of the time. These started as defensive agreements but soon became aggressive as the fact that they were only formal agreements was kept secret from the rival alliances, and so the rival powers did not know that the alliances were defensive and feared they were directed against them. This had an effect of increasing tension between the powers.

     Russia, Serbia and the Bolcan countries were all slaves, these were allies. Bosnia, which was also a Slav country, was taken over by Austria-Hungary in 1908. Serbia had hoped to form a super Slav state with Bosnia but was now unable to. Russia wanted to help Serbia get Bosnia back off Austria but Germany said that if Russia attacked Austria then Germany would attack Russia. Russia was too weak for this and so was forced to back down. Between 1908-1914 Serbia and Austria became big enemies.

     By 1914 war was almost certain to happen as tension was increasing all the time the two most important reasons for war happening were the Bosnian crisis and tension in Eastern Europe and the alliance system.