Explanation:
YES, THEY PLAYED A MAJOR FACTOR IN CAUSING WORLD WAR I.
M.A.I.N
I am sure you have heard of main before. Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism. Militarism like the Naval race between Germany and Britain had caused tensions. Alliances were the Triple Entente VS the Triple Alliance. Imperialism was another factor as Germany also wanted to expand into new territories like in Africa. Nationalism had given false hope to people and had only provoked and prolonged war.
MORE DETAILS BELOW
MILITARISM
Militarism is seen in many aspects of World War 1. For example, the Naval Race between Germany and Britain which I believe the British had won as it had more dreadnoughts. It increased tensions between the two countries in the naval race. Germany had also increased its army as it was a militaristic government which inevitably was going to start a war as it wanted to show off their militaristic might. I also believe Germany had the most efficient and powerful army in the world so it is understandable how a war may have happened
ALLIANCES
Alliances were a huge problem in world war one as was suspected that the conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary would be solved between them yet the alliance system actually made this problem worse. The Austria-Hungarians sent a 10-point ultimatum which was set up to be impossible for them to agree to so Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia who supported the Serbs in the area declared war on Austria-Hungary. Due to the alliance system, France and soon, Britain was dragged in as well as their colonies.
IMPERIALISM
As we discussed, Germany was thirsty to increase its territories. This is because they followed the policy of 'Weltpolitik' and believed that it deserved a 'place in the sun'. The Germans also wanted an empire just like France and the UK. They even went as far as supporting the independence of Morocco (First Moroccan Crisis) and even sent a gunboat as the French sent troops to stop a rebellion (Second Moroccan Crisis) where the French had agreed to give French Congo if they stopped meddling in their affairs. This was a huge failure for Germany as it had brought the Triple Entente even closer together as Britain supported France.
NATIONALISM
Nationalism also helped cause World War One as it has increased tensions between the European countries. Nationalism is a more intense version of Patriotism but people think their country is better than everyone else's country. This increased tensions as the growth of the German economy and the growth of the army as well as the Naval Race had increased German nationalism heavily. Even during the war, neither side wanted to surrender as they believed they can win the war.
EVIDENCE
*The mass amount of declarations between countries in Europe between the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance.
* Naval Race between Germany and UK
* Germany's evergrowing army
* First Moroccan Crisis
* Second Moroccan Crisis
*Weltpolitik (Place in the Sun)
! HOPE I HELPED !
