European Powers
Assess critically how any two of the great European powers contributes to the causes of World War I. The increase of militarism across Europe and the fierce devotion to alliances in the two major European powers, Germany and Russia, contributed to the inevitable outbreak of World War I. Another factor was nationalism in the two countries. While Germany nationalism unified its people in the late 19th century, the many diverse ethnic cultures in Russia pulled at the nation's unity. In the time leading up to World War I Russia was struggling to prove itself as a major power in Europe.Between 1870-1914 Germany had built up its army to be double the size of the army they were fighting with during the Franco- Prussian War. They felt it was important to have a very large and well organized military in order to keep up with Britain's superior military. At sea Britain had been the "master" for many, many years and Germany felt as though it was their turn. By creating these huge battle ships to out-do each other, the British and German's competition continued as more and more military technological advances occurred. This competition led to massive weapon development and the tension grew between the British and Germans because o
These rivalries spurred the will to fight and defeat their old enemies. Thus they were willing to defend Serbia against the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, despite the fact that they could not take care of and prosper with the land and population they already controlled. Instead of a feud between a few countries, war broke out between all allied countries, with the six major powers in Europe fighting against each other. Throughout Germany speeches were given to "prove" Germany's national superiority to other European countries, thus justifying the mobilization and preparation for war. The government wanted to prove Russia as a great power. After the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck thought it to be important to try and sever France from alliances, though he did not totally succeed in this, a strong, mangled alliance system formed throughout Europe. The Franco-Prussian War strengthened that feeling because Germany defeated France and gained Alsace and Lorraine. Due to these alliances many countries in Europe were pulled into the war. The intense need felt by Wilhelm II to be better than the British, and his powerful hate for the Slavs (Tuchman, 6) dictated the consensus of what the German people felt. To counter these alliances in 1894 France and Russia formed the Franco- Russian Alliance to protect themselves from the Dual Alliance. This agreement stated that the Triple Entente would not sign for peace separately. Meanwhile, Russia was still having a difficult time with its industry. After the Congress of Vienna and German unification, Germany felt nothing but success giving the nation a high feeling of morale. Citizens were not enthusiastic about re-living history, and enduring the massive causalities of previous wars.
Common topics in this essay:
Austrian-Hungarian Empire,
World War,
Triple Entente,
Russo-Japanese War,
Throughout Germany,
Industrial Revolution,
Prussian War,
War Bismarck,
Germans Russia,
War Russia,
world war,
austria- hungary,
dual alliance,
alliance protect themselves,
outbreak world,
alliance protect,
germany russia,
protect themselves,
due russia's,
franco-prussian war,
triple entente,
outbreak world war,
|
Acceptance Essays
