Colonialism and the First World War: Causes and Impacts
The Scramble for Africa and the Rise of Colonialism
European powers intensely competed for control of Africa during the late 19th century. The British aimed to establish dominance from north to south, while the French expanded from west to east. Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Spain also pursued colonial ambitions in Africa. To prevent open conflicts, these colonizing powers convened at the Berlin Conference in 1885. They agreed that countries already established on the coast could claim the hinterland. The Niger and Congo rivers were declared open for free navigation, and free trade was to be implemented in central Africa.
European Expansion in Asia, America, and Oceania
In Asia, European occupation primarily relied on a system of concessions due to the well-organized nature of Asian states. However, certain territories became colonies: India and Burma under British rule, Indochina under French control, and Indonesia under Dutch authority. Russia incorporated Siberia and expanded towards China and India. Japan sought to incorporate Korea and Manchuria but clashed with Russia and China. The USA ousted Spain from the Philippines. In America, the USA extended its influence to Puerto Rico and Cuba following the Spanish-American War and occupied the territory where the Panama Canal was constructed. In Oceania, the British took possession of Australia, while the USA occupied archipelagos like Hawaii.
Consequences of Colonialism
Colonialism had devastating consequences for many native populations. Local governments were either eliminated or subjected to foreign control. The native economy was disrupted as traditional crops were replaced with plantations producing goods for export. Commerce primarily benefited the metropolitan state, and infrastructure was developed based on private interests. Industrial development was stifled in these territories, and territorial boundaries were often poorly defined, leading to future conflicts. Society became divided between a foreign ruling minority, who controlled the government and lived in luxury, and the native majority, who were marginalized. Native cultures were suppressed, and Western culture and values were imposed. For the metropolitan states, colonialism generally brought wealth and political power. However, it also fueled rivalries between countries, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the First World War.
The First World War: Origins and Alliances
The Great War, later known as the First World War, began in Europe but quickly engulfed other continents due to colonial expansion. Europe was divided into two opposing alliances: the Central Powers, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, and the Allies, comprising France, Russia, the UK, Italy, and Serbia. The USA later joined the Allies.
Underlying Causes of the First World War
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist student in Sarajevo triggered the war. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and Russia intervened to support Serbia. This activated a complex system of pre-existing alliances, rapidly escalating the conflict across Europe. However, this event alone would not have caused the war without the presence of other underlying tensions in Europe.