Long term causes - kareem sharabi
*All major long term causes of the first World War will be discussed in this section of the website. However, social, military, political, and economic effects will only be applied to France.
Militarism
By definition, Militarism is the act of the government of a country to increase the focus and the expenditure of resources on the military. In context to Europe before World War I, there grew a division between European countries that led to an arms race between these countries; in other words, the countries focused on developing their armies in order to prevent other countries from surpassing them militarily. A great example of this competition was the rivalry between Britain and Germany in terms of naval dominance. Not only does the term 'Militarism' reference the advance of the army of a country, but it also references a countries development of a war plan, such as Germany's Schlieffan Plan, or France's Plan XVII. Militarism affected France in many ways. They created the counter-war plan, Plan XVII, in case Germany ever executed the Schlieffen Plan. Also, France greatly increased the size of its army between 1871 and 1914.
By definition, Militarism is the act of the government of a country to increase the focus and the expenditure of resources on the military. In context to Europe before World War I, there grew a division between European countries that led to an arms race between these countries; in other words, the countries focused on developing their armies in order to prevent other countries from surpassing them militarily. A great example of this competition was the rivalry between Britain and Germany in terms of naval dominance. Not only does the term 'Militarism' reference the advance of the army of a country, but it also references a countries development of a war plan, such as Germany's Schlieffan Plan, or France's Plan XVII. Militarism affected France in many ways. They created the counter-war plan, Plan XVII, in case Germany ever executed the Schlieffen Plan. Also, France greatly increased the size of its army between 1871 and 1914.
Economical, Political, Social, and Military Impacts of Militarism
- Economical Impacts: The fact that France greatly increased its army means that a lot of money went into it. This increase in their army affected their economy, for most of their economic expenditure went into developing and improving their army. (1)"In order to increase their army so efficiently, a lot of money had to be taken away from other aspects of French life and put into the military." (Quenoy 194)
- Social Impacts: Militarism affected social aspect of France as well. France sent many young people from its population, (1)“two-thirds of its male population of military age (eighteen to forty), totaling some 8 million men." (Quenoy 173). France, demographically the weakest Great Power, had "introduced universal military service in 1905 and extended the period from two to three years in 1913 in order to match Germany's larger population” (Quenoy 253).
- Political Impacts: Militarism affected France politically. France had a fear of Germany becoming to powerful, and the government used this to (1)"persuade the people that using all that money to develop its army and not other things was essential" (Quenoy 205). Political leaders also reminded the French population that using a great army, Alsace Loraine could be taken away from Germany and back into the possession of the French, when the time comes. These were all things that government officials used to persuade the population to participate in the war.
- Military Impacts: Through this phase of milatirism, France was able to (1)"more than double its army between 1871 and 1914" (Quenoy 184).
Alliances
An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries, usually through the signing of a treaty, where those countries must help each other whenever help is needed. A great amount of alliances had been signed by countries between the years 1879 and 1914, such as the triple entente, or the triple alliance. This was a major problem when speaking of what caused the war; countries that had little to do with the original conflict were forced to join because one of their allies needed assistance. This also become a problem because it developed fear in countries, such as how Germany feared 'diplomatic encirclement'. France before the war was in an alliance with Britain called the Entente Cordial, but aggressive moves by Germany caused the treaty to be improved, and a new alliance called the triple entente (France, Britain, and Russia) was born.
An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries, usually through the signing of a treaty, where those countries must help each other whenever help is needed. A great amount of alliances had been signed by countries between the years 1879 and 1914, such as the triple entente, or the triple alliance. This was a major problem when speaking of what caused the war; countries that had little to do with the original conflict were forced to join because one of their allies needed assistance. This also become a problem because it developed fear in countries, such as how Germany feared 'diplomatic encirclement'. France before the war was in an alliance with Britain called the Entente Cordial, but aggressive moves by Germany caused the treaty to be improved, and a new alliance called the triple entente (France, Britain, and Russia) was born.
Economical, Political, and Military Impacts of Alliences
- Economical Impacts: This alliance ultimately worsened the economic condition of France, for (2)"most of the fighting had occurred on french soil" (Quenoy 67). Thus a lot of money had to go into fixing what the war had destroyed.
- Political Impacts: This effected France by giving it political ties to its allies. (2)"If one of the two countries of the Triple Entente needed help, France would have to help them with whatever means necessary, such as the use of the military.(Quenoy 74)" This is what caused Britain and France to be dragged into World War I even though they had nothing to of with the conflict in the Balkans.
- Military Impact: The alliance France made with Britain was good because it now had the Military of Britain to help it in the west. (2)"The British Army and the French together were the main countries that opposed Germany in the west"(Quenoy 78). Alone, France's army would not have been able to fight off the Germans; however, thanks to the treaty, the French were able to fight off and ultimately win the war.
- Social Impacts: The people of France felt confident after the signing of the treaty because they now had other countries on their side against Germany. The chances of an embarrassing defeat, like the one they had after the Franco-Prussian war, decreased.
Imperialism
Imperialism is the when a country takes over lands or other countries and makes them subject to their rule. Countries did this for a variety of reasons, the main reason being that these new lands brought new markets and helped with the growth of industrialization. This is why Britain and France had colonies. However, other countries, such as Germany, acquired colonies because of the thought that they had to have colonies for a mark of power, and to compete with Germany and France.By 1900, the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa.
Imperialism is the when a country takes over lands or other countries and makes them subject to their rule. Countries did this for a variety of reasons, the main reason being that these new lands brought new markets and helped with the growth of industrialization. This is why Britain and France had colonies. However, other countries, such as Germany, acquired colonies because of the thought that they had to have colonies for a mark of power, and to compete with Germany and France.By 1900, the British Empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa.
Economical, Political, Social, Impacts of Imperialism
- Economical Impacts: France's colonies brought the country many economical benefits. With industrialization occurring, the colonies (3)"provided France with resources and new markets that helped the economy" (Quenoy 62).
- Social Impacts: (3)"There were two sides that divided the French in regards to imperialism" (Quenoy 63). The first was pro-imperealism. These people were satisfied with France expanding to other places in order to open up new markets and ultimately help the economy. The other side was anti-imperialism. These people were satisfied with their current number of colonies, and though it was not necessary for any more.
- Political Impacts: This rivalry effected France by increasing political problems between France and Germany. To elaborate, (3)"the Germans would constantly bully the french colony of Morocco in their desire for Welpoletik" (Quenoy 61). The Moroccan crisis would be an example of this. Germany used the idea of Moroccan independence from France as means of causing friction between France and Britain, as well as expanding German commercial interests into Morocco.
- Military Impacts: In order to be able to capture these lands and use them as their own, France had to use its military to suppress any resistance in the process of obtaining the land.
Nationalism
Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. Nationalism was a huge problem and a major cause of the First World War; these problems extend back almost 70 years before World War I with the revolution of 1848. The Congress of Vienna, held after the winning countries were able to temporarily stop the problems of nationalism, aimed to sort out these problems in Europe. Delegates from Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the winning allies) decided upon a new Europe that left both Germany and Italy as divided states. However, despite these attempts at suppressing nationalism, strong nationalist elements resurfaced and led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. Not only was nationalism a long term cause/problem, but it can also be considered a short term problem, for Balkan nationalism and Serbian nationalism are all considered problems near the beginning of the war that caused the war. However, nationalism also could be a good thing. In France's case, nationalism unified the people of France because of the people desire to regain Alsace-Lorraine.
Nationalism means being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. Nationalism was a huge problem and a major cause of the First World War; these problems extend back almost 70 years before World War I with the revolution of 1848. The Congress of Vienna, held after the winning countries were able to temporarily stop the problems of nationalism, aimed to sort out these problems in Europe. Delegates from Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the winning allies) decided upon a new Europe that left both Germany and Italy as divided states. However, despite these attempts at suppressing nationalism, strong nationalist elements resurfaced and led to the re-unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. Not only was nationalism a long term cause/problem, but it can also be considered a short term problem, for Balkan nationalism and Serbian nationalism are all considered problems near the beginning of the war that caused the war. However, nationalism also could be a good thing. In France's case, nationalism unified the people of France because of the people desire to regain Alsace-Lorraine.
Economical, social, and political impacts of nationalism
- Economical Impacts: There were many instances where France's economy was effected due to numerous nationalistic movements throughout Europe. For example, they had to pay reparations to Germany after the Franco-Prussian war (unification of Germany as a result of German nationalism).
- Social Impacts: Socially, the settlement at the end of the Franco-Prussian (re-unification of Germany because of German nationalism) war left the people of France angry at the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and keen to regain their lost territory.(4)“The war brought together citizens from all over France, including peasants from regions that had been relatively isolated only a few decades before" (Quenoy 175)
- Political Impacts: The motive to regain Alsace Lorraine would later be a key political motive in what France would do during and after the war. Ever since the war started, one of their key objectives was to use the war to regain the territory. They used this objective as a mean to (4)"unify France" and "get the people" to be O.K with "going to war." (Quenoy 178)
works Cited for this page
*bolded is primary source
(1)"Modernization: Did World War I Initiate Radical Change in the Nature and Functions of the European State?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 171-176. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 7 Oct. 2014.
(2)"Total War: Was Total War a Twentieth-Century Concept?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 251-258. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 8 Oct. 2014.
(3)"Colonialism: Did European Nation-States Systematically Plan to Become Colonial Powers?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 64-71. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 6 Oct. 2014.
(4)"Outbreak of World War I: Did Germany Cause World War I?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 192-198. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 6 Oct. 2014.
"The German Request for Free Passage Through Belgium." - World War I Document Archive. Harold B. Lee Library, 28 May 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2014.
(2)"Total War: Was Total War a Twentieth-Century Concept?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 251-258. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 8 Oct. 2014.
(3)"Colonialism: Did European Nation-States Systematically Plan to Become Colonial Powers?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 64-71. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 6 Oct. 2014.
(4)"Outbreak of World War I: Did Germany Cause World War I?" History in Dispute. Ed. Paul du Quenoy. Vol. 16: Twentieth-Century European Social and Political Movements: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2004. 192-198. Gale Virtual Reference Library. 6 Oct. 2014.
"The German Request for Free Passage Through Belgium." - World War I Document Archive. Harold B. Lee Library, 28 May 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2014.