The late 1890’s were subject to puzzling alliances linking and dividing the great European powers (Allan). The major alliances during this time period were known as Triple Alliance and the Entente Cordiale. The Triple Alliance was formed between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later Italy. The Entente Cordiale consisted of France, Britain, and Russia. The alliance system meant that a dispute between any two European powers ran the risk of developing into a confrontation across Europe (Allan). However, historian Robert Wolfsen points out, “Countries sought and made allies for defensive purposes and the settlement of outstanding disputes between them….. they were not , openly formed for offensive purposes to harm or attack other countries”. Wolfsen statement is valid since none of the disputes between the allies were solved by war. In most cases such disputes would be solved diplomatically by a council/conference with a peace treaty. However, with the alliances came loyalty. Thus, when the assassination of Austria-Hungary’s Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, occurred Germany was obliged to participate in starting the First World War. Conclusively, Miller argues that imperial Germany had a ruling system too chaotic to have planned a war. While this my not be completely true, it is believed that Germany knew the war was coming and decided to take initiative. In other terms, Germany wanted the war to come on their terms but did not it necessarily as their war.
Prior to World War I, there was an increasing competition between European powers as to who obtained the strongest military power. Military leaders would obtain more power then statesmen during this time. Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz and Wilhelm II both were addicted to the naval theories of Alfred Thayer Mahn. Together, Tirpitz and Wilhelm II wanted to make Germany the greatest naval power. Emperor Wilhelm II would find this difficult when Britain introduces the new battleships known as dreadnoughts in 1906. Furthermore, Britain had a “two power standard” meaning their fleet was big enough to battle against the second and third largest navies in the world simultaneously. It is because of the ambition that Wilhelm II had to make Germany’s influence greater then it already was, that makes Germany a big picture in World War II. Moreover, it leaves historians such as Fischer who end up focusing in on Germany as a major cause for the war. Fisher states that World War I was completely Germany’s fault. This is true to an extent, while Germany was really ambitions, Fischer only basis his argument on a wealth of German documents from the time. Fischer does not sufficiently consider the war plans of the other countries involved in the war.
The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century saw an upsurge in imperialism, as the European powers spread to gain control of foreign colonies (Barber). Historian, Lenin describes that imperialism was responsible for the war. This is true to an extent, as the Moroccan Crisis became an international crisis after France was seeking to spread its influence and when the Moroccan sultan implies Germany’s support against France. Another key crisis was the Balkan crisis (1912-1913). The Balkan crisis weakened the Turkish Empire which gave nations of the Balkans the opportunity to pressure independence. This crisis later leads to the Austro-Hungarian failure to force Serbia to abandon ideas of a greater Serbia. This then demoralized the empires ruling circle-emboldened Serbia. The Balkan Wars were seen as a desire for peaceful coexistence in Europe. As a result of this war it settled long-standing problems of Balkan nationalism. The Turkish rule was removed and finally, several independent states emerged (Sharp).
There are many different aspects that played into World War I taking place including alliances, the Arms Race, and Imperialism. While historians will debate over whether the main cause was Germany, or every countries joint responsibility, the mail cause for the war will never be known for certain.
Works Consulted
Allan, Tony. The Causes of World War I. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library, 2003. Print.
Barber, Nicola. Living Through World War 1. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2012. Print.
Brendon, Vyvyen. The First World War, 1914-18. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2000. Print.
Sharp, Mike, Ian Westwell, and John Westwood. History of World War I. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. Print.
