The main cause for WW1 was naval Rivalry. To what extent do you agree with this viewpoint?
The main cause for WW1 was naval Rivalry. To what extent do you agree with this viewpoint?
Introduction
It has been argued that Naval rivalry was the main cause of World War One, this is because in 1898 Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to have the most powerful and strongest navy in the world as he was extremely militaristic which worried Britain and consequently caused tension between the two countries. I believe that to a certain extent that Naval Rivalry did contribute to the war but in my opinion there were other factors that triggered off the war. My essay will include all of these different factors, which are: The Moroccan Crisis', the Balkans crisis, The Alliance Systems and the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand. I will also conclude which I feel is the most important and why.
One of the most significant causes of tension in Europe was the naval rivalry witch developed after 1990. Britain had the most powerful navy in the world, this situation began to change when in 1898, and Kaiser Wilhelm II announced his intention to build a strong and powerful navy. Kaiser Wilhelm had British blood running in him, as his grandmother was Queen Victoria who wanted to build a fleet to commensurate with Germany's status so Wilhelm felt that he needed to prove himself to his family and also have a strong navy. He wanted to project power overseas and to protect Germany's trade. He believed that only a fleet could accord Germany her proper 'place in the sun', besides that a fleet could protect Germany's interests in any future confrontations with Britain or the US.
The tension rose between the two countries, as Britain felt threatened. In 1906 the 'HMS Dreadnought', the first super battleship was commissioned. Germany decided to pick up the gauntlet that Britain had thrown to them and decided to build their own Dreadnoughts. By 1914, Britain had built 29 Dreadnoughts whereas Germany had only built 17.
This naval race consequented in the First World War, as the growing tension between Germany and Britain was very high, there was an increase in Anglo-German mistrust and Europe was divided into two armed camps.
In 1905-06 and 1911 there were two crises in Morocco caused by Germany's attempt to block Frances control of the country and to restrict French power.
While visiting Tangier in 1905 Kaiser Wilhelm II issued a statement of support for Moroccan independence as the French had plans to control the country, which caused international panic. The crisis was resolved at the Algeciras conference in 1906 where Europeanan countries all voted against Germany and recognised Frances special political interests in Morocco, which resulted in Germany Humiliated. He had wanted to be seen as a major power in Africa, ...
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In 1905-06 and 1911 there were two crises in Morocco caused by Germany's attempt to block Frances control of the country and to restrict French power.
While visiting Tangier in 1905 Kaiser Wilhelm II issued a statement of support for Moroccan independence as the French had plans to control the country, which caused international panic. The crisis was resolved at the Algeciras conference in 1906 where Europeanan countries all voted against Germany and recognised Frances special political interests in Morocco, which resulted in Germany Humiliated. He had wanted to be seen as a major power in Africa, instead his views were rejected, which made him bitter.
The second crisis occurred in 1911 when the French tried to take over again, but Germany responded by sending in a gunboat to Agadir to protect German economic interests during a local uprising. The French objected and made preparations for war as did Britain because they feared that the Kaiser wanted to make Agadir as its naval base which would cut off Britain's access to India so naturally Britain backed France so another conference was called and Britain and France stood firm against Germany so as a result of this a settlement was negotiated that gave France rights to a protector ship over Morocco. In return they, Germany acquired as compensation a small strip of French Congo with access to the sea. Tension builded up between the countries and Germany was left mortified and feeling bitter
The Balkan Peninsula is an area in the southeast Europe that includes Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Turkey. Tension in the area had been heightened by a series of local and international conflicts that culminated in the Balkans war.
The first Balkan crisis came about in 1908. Austria-Hungary took over the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia and Serbia protested but they backed down when Germany made it clear that it supported Austria. Neither Russia nor Serbia was prepared to risk war with Germany over this issue. However, there were some serious consequences. Austria now felt confident that Germany would back it in future disputes. It is though that this made Austria too confident. And encouraged it to make trouble with Serbia AND Russia. Russia resented being faced down in 1909. It quickened its arms build up. It was determined not to back down again. From 1912 to 1915 there was a series of local wars. Serbia emerged from these as the most powerful country ion the Balkans. This was a serious issue for Austria. Serbia had a strong army and it was a close ally of Russia. Austria decided that Serbia would have to be dealt with. By 1914 Austria was looking for a good excuse to declare war on Serbia. Austria opportunity came with the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Although there was no hard evidence the Princip was acting under orders from the Serbian government, Austria blamed Serbia. It gave Serbia a ten point ultimatum that would effectively have made Serbia part of the Austrian empire. The Serbs could not possibly accept it. When the Serbs asked for time to consider, Austria refused and declared war on 28 July 1914. The Serbs were then angry at Austria for not giving them time to consider so this definitely causes tension between the countries.
28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand, The Arch-Duke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. Franz was travelling by car from the railroad to the town hall when suddenly Gabrinovic (A member of the black hand) threw a grenade at the car but Franz and his wife were left uninjured whereas several officers riding in his attendance were injured. Franz continued on his journey to the town hall where General Potiorek pleaded with him to leave the city as it was seething with rebellion so the Archduke was persuaded to go the shortest way out of the city.
Whilst driving, Gavrello Princip (also member of the black hand) was waiting for Franz and his wife and when they came close enough to him, he stood up close to the curb, drew his automatic pistol and fired two shots. The first one killing Franz Ferdinand's wife Sophie, and the second killing Franz himself.
Austria-Hungary was extremely angry at Serbia for the assassination of their heir and issued an ultimatum to Serbia and gave them 48 hours to comply but they failed, so on July 28th 1914 war was declared.
In 1914 the six most powerful countries in Europe were divided into two opposing alliances: The triple Alliance, which consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, formed in 1882 and the Triple Entente consisting of Britain, France and Russia, formed in 1907.
The alliance system was started by Bismarck (the German chancellor) from 1871-1890. Bismarck organised a system of alliances designed to maintain Germany's hegemony on the European continent. France was determined to challenge the hegemony of Germany because France had been defeated by Germany in 1871 and had been forced to cede two provinces (Alsace and Lorraine) to Germany. Bismarck tried to befriend Austria, Russia, Italy and Britain in order to isolate France.
Bismarck was unable to maintain friendly relations with both Austria and Russia so Bismarck chose Austria to be his ally because Germany preferred a weaker partner, which could be easily controlled. An alliance with Austria would throw over the Danuke valley to German trade and Austria also had racial ties with Germany and such an alliance would be enable Germany to exercise influence in the Balkans and also an alliance with Russia would antagonise Britain as she did not like her colonial rival to be supported by strong power. So Bismarck thought it best to make an alliance with Austria-Hungary.
Italy wanted to get government established and set up colonies and build up and overseas empire with this aim in mind, so Italy joined Germany and Austria-Hungary in The triple Alliance.
For most of the 19th century Britain had regarded France and Russia as the most dangerous rivals, however by the early 19900's things changed as France and Britain had reached a number of agreements about colonies in North Africa in 1904, and Russia was defeated in a war against Japan ion 1904. This weakened Russia so that Britain was less concerned about it. Above all, Britain was very worried about Germany. The German Kaiser had made it clear that he wanted Germany to have an empire and a strong navy, which Britain saw as a serious threat to its own empire and navy.
France had been defeated by Germany in a short war in 1870. Since then Germany had built up a powerful army and strong industries. France was worried about the growing power of Germany France had also developed a strong and close friendship with Russia. Its main concerns were to protect itself against attack by Germany and to get back the rich industrial region of Alsace-Lorraine, which Germany had taken from it in 1870.
Russia was by far the largest of all six countries but also the most backward. The country was almost entirely agricultural. Russia shared worries about the growing power of Germany with Britain and also had a long history of rivalry with Austria-Hungary so joined with Britain and France in the Triple entente.
Conclusion
In conclusion to my essay, it can be seen throughout that Naval rivalry was not the only cause for the war as all the different events created immense tension, which contributed to WW1.
In my opinion Naval rivalry was the strongest point that contributed to the war but I feel that the other points were also very strong and caused anxiety between the six powers.
As there was so much tension and so many different points, with so much talk of war and plans for war at that time, I feel that war was in fact inevitable.
Jessica Graham