Colonialism, Nationalism, and the First World War
Colonialism and Nationalism: Origins of WWI
Rivalry Among Colonial Powers: The conflicts between rival empires, especially in Morocco, were key. Germany, with few colonies, challenged France and Great Britain. This tension, while initially avoided, laid the groundwork for World War I.
Nationalist Exaltation
Germany and France were deeply opposed. France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War led to the loss of French regions to Germany. Germany benefited, and Great Britain maintained a strong rivalry with it over shipping lanes and international trade.
The Balkan Conflict
The Balkans were a point of tension under Turkish rule. Wars led to the independence of several nations: Montenegro, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Greece. Multiple nationalities, subject to these powers, wanted to dominate the Serbian region. Austria accused Serbia of supporting protests by Serbs living within the Austrian Empire. The Serbs were Slavs, and Russia aimed to protect them, strengthen its power in the area, and gain access to the Mediterranean Sea for its fleets.
Arms Race and Alliances
The growing unease among the powers led to an arms race. Many states invested heavily in manufacturing weapons, building warships, and training their troops. The major powers formed military alliances to prepare for a potential conflict. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy signed the Triple Alliance. France, fearing German military power, joined Russia and improved relations with Great Britain. These three great powers signed the Triple Entente.
The Outbreak of War
Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo (Bosnian capital) by a student with Serbian connections. Austria declared war on Serbia, aiming to end Serbian influence and increase its own dominance. Russia intervened to defend Serbia, and Germany, allied with Austria, declared war on Russia and France. Great Britain then declared war on Germany after it invaded Belgium, a British ally.
War of Movement
The Germans attacked Belgium and France, entering through Luxembourg. Initially, this tactic was successful. However, by early September 1914, as the Germans approached Paris, the French and British armies reorganized and stopped the German advance at the Battle of the Marne.
Trench Warfare
The Western Front became immobilized by trench warfare. This phase of the war focused on gaining small amounts of enemy territory, often at the cost of thousands of lives. New allies were sought: Italy joined the Allied side (France, Great Britain, etc.), while Bulgaria and the Turkish Empire joined the Central Powers. The Germans launched an offensive to break the French front at the Battle of Verdun, but the French and their allies resisted for four months.
The Crisis of 1917 and the End of the War
In 1917, Russia withdrew from the war due to internal revolution. The revolutionaries made peace with Germany. The German withdrawal from the Russian front was offset by the entry of the United States into the war, siding with the Allies. The French defeated the Italians, and the British defeated the Austrians. The Allies defeated the Germans, leading to riots in the German army and navy, and workers’ demonstrations against the government. Fearing a revolutionary explosion, the German high command, prompted by the Kaiser, sought peace. On November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed. The Kaiser fled to Holland, and Germany was proclaimed a republic.
War in the Rear
The First World War was a total war, involving the mobilization of resources and the implication of the entire population. National armies recruited men of military age. Technical advancements in transport and weaponry caused many deaths. Industries were repurposed to manufacture weapons, loans were taken, and women replaced men in the workforce.