Further, in Germany and Russia in particular, the military establishment began to have a greater influence on public policy. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period. The rivalry between the powers led to a building up of weapons and an increase in mutual distrust. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 18. France had the highest proportion of its population in the army. Over 85% of men of military age in France and 50% in Germany had served in the army or navy. In all of the Great Powers, military spending increased greatly in the years prior to the war and all of them except Britain had conscription. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military build up. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into the war.Īs the world entered the 20th century, an arms race was well under way. Because of the raw materials these areas could provide, tensions around these areas ran high. Later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the allies.īefore the War, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention among the European countries. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany seeing Russia mobilising, declared war on Russia. So when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia moved to defend Serbia. The slogan to justify going to war were the oft repeated words, ‘We are under treaty obligations.’ Before World War 1, no less that five alliances existed: These treaties meant that if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them. What can we learn from it? Five of the Causes that Triggered the WarĬountries throughout Europe made mutual defence agreements that would suck them into battle. Let us remind ourselves of that fearful period in British history of valiant courage, self-sacrifice, unimaginable suffering and death. It is the centenary of the end of the First World War.
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