‘Competing alliances caused the eventual outbreak of the First World War’. Do you agree with this statement? Argue your case.
Competing alliance contributed greatly to the eventual outbreak of the First World War. The Great Powers of Europe were all involved in alliances and this greatly added to tensions between the nations and lead to the Great War. Militarism is also responsible for the outbreak of war. Imperialism and nationalism in the nations of Europe also added tensions. Also, several long term triggers that brought about the Great War were influenced by the alliance system. The Great Powers of Europe all had their own motives for war and, while not a direct result of the competing alliance system, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand also lead to the outbreak of the First World War. The domino effect of the July Days would not have been possible without the alliance system.
Competing alliance contributed heavily to eventual outbreak of the First World War. There were two major alliances within the Great Powers of Europe. The first one to be formed was the Triple Alliance in 1882 between Germany, Austria and Italy. The second formed first as the Entente Cordiale in 1904, between Britain and France and became the Triple Entente in 1907 when Russia joined. It was these alliances and others that made the chain reaction that lead to the outbreak of the First World War possible.
Militarism also contributed to the outbreak of the First World War. In the lead up to World War One the Great Powers of Europe were involved in an ‘arms race’ and in 1913 all the nations increased spending on defense. The Militarism of the nations of Europe was cause for tension between the Great Powers. Militarism is also responsible for the outbreak of the First World Work
Imperialism and Nationalism were also responsible for the outbreak of the First World War. The creation of Germany’s policy to expand its nation (Weltpolitik) in 1890 lead to an increase in German...