Subject: World History

The First World War (1914-1918) emerged from complex geopolitical tensions, with the balance of power playing a crucial role but not being the sole determining factor. The war transformed from a localized European conflict into a global catastrophe that reshaped international relations and power dynamics.

Balance of Power as a Primary Cause

• The rise of German Empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II threatened the existing European power equilibrium established after the Congress of Vienna (1815).
• Anglo-German Naval Race (1898-1914) challenged British naval supremacy, leading to increased military competition and arms race.
• Formation of rival alliance systems - Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) - created a delicate balance that ultimately proved unstable.

Other Significant Factors

• Nationalism and Imperialism:

  • Rise of Pan-Slavism in Eastern Europe and Russian support for Serbia.
  • Colonial rivalries in Africa and Asia (e.g., Morocco Crisis of 1905 and 1911).
  • Alsace-Lorraine dispute between France and Germany since 1871.

• Militarism and Arms Race:

  • Adoption of aggressive military doctrines like Schlieffen Plan.
  • Rapid modernization of armies and development of new weapons.
  • Increased military expenditure across European powers.

• Immediate Triggers:

  • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (1914).
  • Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia.
  • Complex web of alliances leading to rapid escalation.

Impact on Global Power Structure

• Dissolution of four empires: Ottoman, Russian, German, and Austro-Hungarian.
• Emergence of United States as a global economic power.
• Creation of new nation-states through Treaty of Versailles (1919).
• Establishment of League of Nations as first attempt at collective security.

While power politics played a significant role, the war's outbreak and course were shaped by nationalism, imperialism, and militarism. The conflict's aftermath led to the creation of new international order through the Versailles-Washington System, highlighting how the war transcended mere power balancing to fundamentally reshape global politics and international relations.