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International Conflicts and Threats to Peace in the 20th Century. The First World War (WWI) (1914-1918) . We will take a test on 5th October (MON) Please revise: The background of the First World War The four causes of the War. Background of the War. The war took place during
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International Conflicts and Threats to Peace in the 20th Century The First World War (WWI) (1914-1918)
We will take a test on 5th October (MON) • Please revise: • The background of the First World War • The four causes of the War
Background of the War • The war took place during 1914-1918. It was an international one since countries from Europe, Asia and America fought in this war.
Background of the War • To understand why the war happened, we have to read about the relations of the Western powers during 1871-1914: • The Industrial Revolution had started in the West, so the Western states and to compete for colonies in Asia and Africa to find overseas markets for their manufactured goods; • They also competed the land in the Balkan peninsula in south-eastern Europe.
Background of the War • The spread of nationalism had led to the rise of Germany and Italy, but their relations with other great European powers were not too friendly in this period.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century Isolated: Britain~ • She was the strongest colonial power at that time. The colonies included India, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Burma and Malaysia. • She was not so interested in European affairs. She wanted to maintain trade with her colonies. Thus, Britain adopted a policy of splendid isolation.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Britain~ 3. However, with rising military and economic threats from Germany, Britain gradually formed alliances with other countries to maintain (keep) her position in Europe, and even in the world.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Revengeful: France • She was defeated by Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and had to cede land and pay reparations to Prussia. Later, Germany united Prussia as the new Germany. • France wanted to take revenge on Germany.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Declining: Austria-Hungary~ • It was a multi-national empire. So that it was gradually weakened by the national groups fighting for independence. 2. It expanded into the Balkans after 1870, and came into conflicts with Serbia and Russia.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Weak: Italy~ • Italy was the weakest of the European powers. She had colonial conflicts with France in Africa. 2. She formed an alliance with Germany and Austria- Hungary.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Expanding: Germany~ • She was a new industrial power that actively set up colonies and aimed to surpass Britain. • The military aggression of Germany threatened other European powers. • Germany wanted to isolate France to prevent France from attacking.
The European situation before the War in the late 19th century • Ambitious: Russia~ • She had the biggest state with the largest army in Europe, but her economy was weaker than most other powers. 2. She hoped to expand into Asia and the Balkans, and this led to conflict with Austria-Hungary.
Causes of the War • The main factors that caused the mistrust among the European powers are : 1) The Alliance System 2) The armaments race 3) Colonial rivalries 4) The rise of extreme nationalism
Causes of the War • Starting the Alliance System: 1) In order to isolate France and prevent her from taking revenge, in 1873, German Chancellor Bismarck formed the Three Emperors’ League with Russia and Austria- Hungary, which marked the start of Alliance System.
Causes of the War • The Triple Alliance Formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882. • The Triple Entente Formed by Britain, Russia and France in 1907.
Causes of the War • Effects of the Alliance System 1) These two groups of powers opposed to each other. If there was a conflict between any of them, no power was left to bring peace or to stop the war. 2) When war broke out between members of an opposite camp, other members would also join the war.
Causes of the War—the armaments race • Armaments were symbols of strength of a nation. The European powers wanted to protect their own countries, they also wanted to protect their overseas colonies and trade.
Causes of the War—the armaments race • Took place during 1871-1914 • They raced to: • Expand their armies through conscription (called more young men to join the army) and modern training methods • Build dreadnoughts: a larger and more powerful type of warship • Develop new weapons: cannons, machine guns.
Causes of the War—the armaments race • Two disarmament conferences were held in 1899 and 1907 respectively at the Hague in Holland, but failed in the end. Effects of the armaments race • It increased tensions in Europe. • Every power from each camp had to keep up the military power with one another, they would increase their armaments. • Each power had large stores of weapons for preparations of war in the case of a conflict.
Causes of the War—the colonial rivalries • The European powers fought for colonies for economic and political reasons Economic reasons: Began setting up colonies to obtain more raw materials and overseas markets in Asia and Africa.
Causes of the War—the colonial rivalries • Political reasons: Britain— having many colonies to keep her powerful position in European. Germany and Italy— setting up more colonies to show their status and power. France— setting up more colonies to re-established its power status after having defeated in the Franco- Prussian War.
Causes of the War— the colonial rivalries Several incidents occurred due to the colonial rivalries during 1871-1914:
Causes of the War— Extreme Nationalism • Nationalism– It is a belief that people within one nation and with the same customs, language, religion and history should have the right to self-government.
Causes of the War— Extreme Nationalism • Before 1871, the nationalism helped many European states (such as Belgium and Germany) win independence or unite to form single nations. • It turned extreme after 1871.
