The Greed for Power - Imperialism
Colonisation in the 1914s
To me, I believe this would be the most important one of them all; and probably the reason for nearly all wars.
During the early 20th century, many of the European powers had gained colonial possessions. These possessions would include raw materials, prestige and evidence of power.
However, they also caused a great deal of conflict between the Great Powers of Europe.
Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control. Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention amongst the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. Countries raced to Africa for raw materials and thought they (vs other countries) should take over an area. [27]
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a great deal of colonization of Asia and Africa by European powers, each trying to fulfill its own version of manifest destiny. England controlled vast holds in Africa, as well as India; the Belgians ruled the Congo; Germany, France, and Italy also held several African lands. These colonies funded a great part of the ruling countries' economies and provided foreign markets for European products, and expansion became necessary and desirable to advance the glory and the wealth of each European power. However, the land available diminished as Germany, France, England, Italy, and Belgium occupied increasingly large tracts of land. Oftentimes, border disputes would break out between colonists of different nationalities; for example the Boer War in South Africa between the Dutch and the English. Furthermore, in the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia. [28]
The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.
During the early 20th century, many of the European powers had gained colonial possessions. These possessions would include raw materials, prestige and evidence of power.
However, they also caused a great deal of conflict between the Great Powers of Europe.
Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control. Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention amongst the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. Countries raced to Africa for raw materials and thought they (vs other countries) should take over an area. [27]
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a great deal of colonization of Asia and Africa by European powers, each trying to fulfill its own version of manifest destiny. England controlled vast holds in Africa, as well as India; the Belgians ruled the Congo; Germany, France, and Italy also held several African lands. These colonies funded a great part of the ruling countries' economies and provided foreign markets for European products, and expansion became necessary and desirable to advance the glory and the wealth of each European power. However, the land available diminished as Germany, France, England, Italy, and Belgium occupied increasingly large tracts of land. Oftentimes, border disputes would break out between colonists of different nationalities; for example the Boer War in South Africa between the Dutch and the English. Furthermore, in the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia. [28]
The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.
I hope I've answered your questions (if you have any) about one of the reasons for World War I. If you think I haven't, or think that I've forgotten something, do it here. :)
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