Imperialism, competition for trade and colonies, resulted in tense relationships between European nations. Britain and France formed alliances against Germany as a result of competition for colonies. Alliances were agreements among nations to aid each other if attacked. By 1907, Europe was divided. Great Britain, France, and Russia all formed the Allies while Germany, Austria- Hungary, and Italy formed the Central Powers.
Furthermore, for many centuries, European nations had been building empires, slowly extending their economic and political control over various peoples of the world and practicing imperialism. Colonies supplied the European imperial powers with raw materials and provided markets for manufactured goods. As Germany industrialized, it competed with France and Britain in the contest for colonies. In continuation, because each nation wanted stronger armed forces than those of any potential enemy, the imperial powers followed a policy of militarism—the development of armed forces and their use as a tool of diplomacy. Empires were expensive to build and to defend, and the growth of nationalism and imperialism led to increased military spending.
Japan’s industrialized economy needed resources, which Japan believed they could obtain through the same methods of imperialism. Japan would use the same military might as exhibited by Europe and America but would control not only the governments of these countries but the people as well. The indigenous people of these regions would suffer due to the greed of the great powers and eventually gain a greater since of nationalism needed to overthrow their aggressors. India Britain took control of India after defeating France and the Indian government during the eighteenth century. India was considered the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire.
New groups like merchants and townsmen gained in stature and wealth. The balance of power had moved definitively, and in many ways the Middle Ages set the tone for the travails of the Early Modern period and the regicidal civil war that nearly tore the country apart. So, what forces caused these enormous changes? To suggest that this was all brought about chiefly by economic pressures is naïve. A multiplicity of factors worked together to fashion this new political order.
Russia also prospered from a long awaited growth in industry. CZARS/ AUTOCRACIES During the 19th century, Russia was ruled by autocrats, or czars, who ruled with absolute power. Their individual philosophies affected the history and culture of the vast empire. Alexander I was the first czar of the 19th century. He came into power during the Napoleonic Wars, and is most remembered for his involvement in these wars and his sudden change from an active liberal ruler to a more moderate czar.
In England during the mid-18th century a major war took place. The industrial revolution forced many places around the globe to modernize and also westernize. As a result there where many changes such as innovative technology, mass food and textile production, growth of cities and much more. A major change that will forever affect the world is New Age Imperialism. Europe gained many territories due to the advancements in technology.
Likewise, both of the powers had to dismantle their colonies and ended their overseas and territorial empire. The war had demonstrated the European’s weakness and in the post war, uprisings happened especially in the East Asia that major aim was to achieve independence from the rule of the European. Economically, World War II boosted the United States economy. It ended their Great Depression. This was because there were an increase in their productions and employments in the production of war supplies.
Austria declared war on Serbia, which provoked Russia to help the Serbians, which led to Germany declaring war on Russia and France, which triggered England to declare war on Germany. Hostilities promulgated to the European colonies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East as many other nations joined in the conflict. Another factor contributing to World War I was the economic competition and conflicts erupting from power struggles over the colonial empires that had been building up through the last decade. Britain and Germany were in a power struggle after the Industrial Revolution to ensure raw materials were utilized and produced for their particular needs. Many people in the region surmised it was only a matter of time before the two major powers had expanding confrontations regarding these raw materials and workers themselves.
The development of Russian government was influenced more by war than any other factor. Throughout the period of 1855 to 1964, war played a major role in the development of Russia’s government and acted as a catalyst for change. Despite all the wars leading to a certain degree of political change, it certainly was also linked to social-economic change. Arguably, war is seen as the most important cause for revolutions and change in Government, as The First World War proved with its importance in the fall of the Tsarist autocracy and the failure of the Provisional Government. Major ideological change was also seen after the Russo-Japanese war with the change of Nicholas II’s method of ruling and was important in the change of structure of government and tools, causing leaders to impose new reforms and enforce their legitimacy.
On 31 July 1914, Austria- Hungary declared war on Serbia. Another reason of the war happening was alliances. In 1878, Germany and Austria – Hungary formed an alliance specifically, the dual alliance. That gave them great strength in the centre of the Europe. In 1892, the French and the Russians formed their own strong alliance (the dual entente) that meant Germany had an unfriendly power on each side.