To what extent were the policies of Wilhelm II the principle cause of World War One?
To what extent were the policies of Wilhelm II the principle cause of World War One?
There are many causes of World War One, and they are all major contributors to the start of the conflict in the August of 1914. In this essay I will discuss the major causes of the First World War, and the significance of the actions of Wilhelm II. First of all, I will give a brief section of background and general information about Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Wilhelm II (known as Kaiser Wilhelm) (1859-1941), was the emperor of Germany 1888-1918, grandson of Queen Victoria. After forcing his chief minister, Bismarck, to resign in 1890 he proved unable to exercise a strong or consistent influence over German policies, which became increasingly militaristic in foreign affairs. He was unable to prevent the outbreak of the First World War (1914), and was vilified by Allied propaganda as the author of the conflict. In 1918 he went into exile in Holland and abdicated his throne.
By the early 20th century, the countries of Western Europe had reached a high level of material prosperity. However, competition for trade markets and imperial possessions worldwide had led to a growth of nationalistic sentiment. This nationalism created great political tension between the single - nation states such as France and Germany, and threatened the stability of multi - nation states such as Austria - Hungary. These tensions were reflected in jingoistic propaganda, an arms race between the major powers, and trade barriers and tariffs, which exacerbated tensions further.
In Germany, the close involvement of the military aristocracy in politics and commerce gave these tensions a militaristic slant. Germany's existence as a unified state dated only from 1870, and its late start in the European scramble for world empires prompted some Germans to look to territorial expansion in Europe itself as a means of making up lost ground. This attitude built on a deep - seated German fear of ` the Russian menace ´.
Even the least militaristic of Germans understood the need for access to raw materials, ready - made trade markets, and outlets in ...
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In Germany, the close involvement of the military aristocracy in politics and commerce gave these tensions a militaristic slant. Germany's existence as a unified state dated only from 1870, and its late start in the European scramble for world empires prompted some Germans to look to territorial expansion in Europe itself as a means of making up lost ground. This attitude built on a deep - seated German fear of ` the Russian menace ´.
Even the least militaristic of Germans understood the need for access to raw materials, ready - made trade markets, and outlets in colonial possessions for their country's surplus people that the empire had brought to Britain. The small German colonial empire had to be guarded by a powerful navy, but the expansion of the German navy was regarded as a direct threat in Britain. Similarly, German diplomatic efforts to recover the stability of Bismarck's day in Europe by combining Central Europe into a formidable block exacerbated fears of German expansionism in France and Russia.
In 1902 Lord Lansdowne, British foreign secretary, abandoned the previous British policy of isolation. He concluded the Anglo - Japanese Treaty, relieving Britain of large naval commitments in the Pacific, and the ` Entente Cordiale ´ with France 1904.
Widespread nationalistic unrest in the Balkan provinces of the Austro - Hungarian Empire had resulted in strained relations between Austria - Hungary and Serbia, regarded as sponsor of the nationalist movements. sponsor of the nationalist movements. While visiting Sarajevo, capital of the Austro - Hungarian province of Bosnia - Herzegovina, 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir of the Austro - Hungarian emperor, was assassinated by a Bosnian student, Gavrilo Prinzip, backed by the Serbian nationalist Black Hand organization.
The Austro - Hungarian government sought to punish Serbia for the crime and Germany promised support, despite the danger of involving Russia, ultimate patron of the Balkan nationalist movements. Austria - Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum 23 July, requesting a reply within 48 hours. Serbia, on Russian advice, agreed to all the demands except two which conflicted with its authority as a sovereign state. Austro - Hungarian armies near the Serbian border were mobilized.
The war's two principal causes were fear of Germany's colonial ambitions and European tensions arising from shifting diplomatic divisions and nationalist agitation, especially in the Balkan States.
Balkan Wars (1912-13), were two short wars, fought between Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria for the possession of remaining European territories of the Ottoman empire. In 1912 Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro formed the Balkan League; officially to demand better treatment for Christians in Turkish Macedonia, in reality to seize the remaining Turkish territory in Europe while Turkey was embroiled in a war with Italy. In October 1912 the League armies captured all but Constantinople (now Istanbul). European ambassadors intervened to re-draw the Balkans map to the advantage of Bulgaria and detriment of Serbia in the Treaty of London (May 1913). A month later, Bulgaria launched a pre-emptive attack on the Serbs and Greeks, who coveted Bulgaria's gains, but was defeated. In the Treaty of Bucharest (August 1913) Greece and Serbia partitioned Macedonia, and Romania gained part of Bulgaria. Albania, which had been under Turkish suzerainty, was made an independent Muslim principality. A 'big Serbia' now presented a considerable threat to Austria-Hungary. Russia promised to support Serbia in its nationalist struggle, and Germany to give military aid to Austria-Hungary. The assassination of the Austrian heir apparent, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, at Sarajevo (1914) gave Austria-Hungary the pretext to invade Serbia, leading to the outbreak of World War I six weeks later.
Another cause of the First World War was the Naval Race
Catherine Blackwood 12:1
