Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign countries as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires, either through direct territorial conquest or through indirect methods of exerting control on the politics and/or economy of other countries. The term is often used to describe the policy of a country in maintaining colonies and dominance over distant lands, regardless of whether the country calls itself an empire. Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.
Militarism is the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. Another factor of the militarist mindset in Europe was intricate war plans. Most nations in the years leading up to 1914 had developed detailed war plans that were based on strict timetables. The most notable of these was the German Schlieffen Plan. As each country or nation were suspicious that another country or nation was building their armies, the certain country would build up the armies as well, therefore each country/nation had their army ready for war.
Alliance at the outbreak of World War 1 consisted of Britain, France, and Russia against Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. The Triple Entente consisted of Britain, France, Russia, and the Dual alliance consisted of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The alliance system is a cause of World War 1 because it drew more countries into the war. If the alliances’ were not formed then it would not have been a World War, but maybe a local war. Because each nation/country also greatly believed in nationalism, each wanted to join it.
Nationalism is the devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals and aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination. A nationalist is some who believes their country is the best, and this was a large cause to the war, because each country believed that it was best. Young men signed up to it because of the glory and their beliefs in nationalism. Nationalism was in each main country or nation: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France and Britain.
Germany’s ambitions were extended to many parts of the globe; Germany came into serious conflicts with all other major powers of Europe, except Austria-Hungary, from 1890 to 1914.
Italy was barely powerful enough to be counted as a great power. Her parliamentary system was corrupt and inefficient. However, Italy had great territorial ambitions. She wanted certain places, which collided with France, seeing as certain places were next to Frances territory. Thus, Italy came into serious conflicts with Austria-Hungary.
Austria-Hungary was established as the Dual Monarchy in late 19th century. The Dual Monarchy ruled over a large empire consisting of many nationalities, but only the Austrians and the Hungarians had the right to rule. The other nationalities Czechs, Slovaks, Serbs, Croats, Rumanians and Poles resented their loss of political freedom. They desired for political independence. Thus, the policy of the Dual Monarchy was to suppress the nationalist movements both inside and outside the empire. The particular object of the Dual Monarchy was to gain political control over the Balkan Peninsula, where nationalist movements were rife and were always giving encouragement to the nationalist movements within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The centre of the nationalist movements in the Balkans was Serbia. Serbia always hoped to unite with the Serbs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire to create a large Serbian state. Therefore, the first enemy of Austria-Hungary in 1914 was Serbia. Besides Serbia, Austria-Hungary also hated Russia because Russia, being a Slav country, always backed up Serbia in any Austro-Serbian disputes.
Russia was the largest and most populous country in Europe. It extended from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to those of the Black Sea and from the Baltic Sea eastwards to the Pacific Ocean. A great deal of the population was Slavs. In the late 19th century, Russia renewed her aggression in the Balkans. Thus, her territorial ambitions clashed with the interests of Austria-Hungary and Britain. However, Russia did not retreat. Moreover, as most of the Balkan peoples were of the Slavic race, Russia claimed that she was helping her people.
France had been the dominant power in Europe for a long time. Her people were great nationalists as they had been dominant for a long time. She had good armies and was part of the Triple Entente, which gave her good back-up if someone did start a local war with her.
In the late 18th century, Britain was the most industrially advanced country in Europe. She also possessed the largest overseas empire and the largest navy in the world. She did not want to trouble herself with the continental affairs of Europe. She had a small land army, which was called The British Expeditionary Force or Old Contemptibles, which although small, very powerful.
No one country is responsible for World War 1. If one had to put the blame on something, it would be tension and nationalism. There was the main trigger cause, the assassination of The Arch Duke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. The people of each country/nation wanted a war. Although everyone thought, it would be over by Christmas. There were cheering crowds in the street. This shows that although the main countries that caused the war are Russia and Serbia, Austria-Hungary and Germany because of their beliefs in nationalism. So overall, it is not a who that cause World War 1, it is a what. Therefore that what is nationalism.
