How Did Imperialism Lead to WW1?

One of the main causes of World War I can be attributed to the growth of European empires (also known as imperialism), as tensions among European nations rose as countries like Britain and France expanded their empires.

The empire system, whereby a powerful nation-state controls and seizes territories outside its borders, is a significant source of competitive rivalry between the great European powers. The economic benefits of this system attract imperialist nations, and this ideology is what eventually sparked the war.

Imperialism’s main lure is economic

Since the nineteenth century, liberals have denounced European colonialism. In International Man, Richard Cobden and John Hobson argue against the tower of European colonialism. Liberal anti-imperialism is the product of the American Revolution. But once the U.S. became a great power, it ignored its record of colonial expansion. By the second half of the twentieth century, the United States had dismantled the remnants of European colonial structures.

There are multiple motives and influences. Some nations pursue empires for economic gain. Others pursue it for cultural reasons. But, whether economic or cultural, imperialism has its appeal. While Gibbon’s description of the Roman Empire was reasonable, the Chinese state lasted centuries after its collapse. Moreover, Islamic imperialism was not motivated by religious ideology.

The pursuit of imperialism usually involves an actual state. An actual state is one with a coherent identity and a relatively large population. It may have military power that helps extend state rule over other states. Suppose the people of an actual state are ambitious to extend rule beyond their borders. In that case, they will likely exploit their accumulated power over the years. Even worse, when empires are no longer profitable, they will develop an ideology to justify their actions.

Most European states recognized that imperialism was economically unprofitable by the 1960s. However, the Soviet Union and the United States were not among them. They both had different national interests and ideologies that tended to conflict with the European empire’s. Ultimately, these countries sought to keep their imperialism policies alive for political reasons. But, the economic motive ultimately drives them to expand their empires to the next level.

While the incentives to expand imperial states are varied, the impulse to conquer other states is rooted deep in human nature. As a result, many talented megalomaniacs have emerged throughout history, from Alexander the Great to Genghis Kahn. And these are the only two examples that are worthy of mention. This doesn’t mean, however, that empires should be avoided at all costs. And if the economic motive for imperialism isn’t there, why should it ever continue?

It is a system where a powerful nation-state seizes or controls territories outside its borders

The rule of law is of utmost importance for many small states that lack a military. If any actions threaten territorial integrity and sovereignty, they must be prevented. For example, suppose Russia and Ukraine cannot resolve the conflict through negotiations. In that case, the delegates in the UN General Assembly must impose economic sanctions on them.

Before World War I, several European countries were imperial powers. Their rivalry fueled tension between major European nations. The British Empire was the largest, covering one-quarter of the globe. After the war, other European powers scrambled to acquire new colonial possessions. They became increasingly territorial and competed for control of Africa. While the British Empire dominated the world for several decades, the French and Russian empires were a close second.

In this case, Russia would first need to seize Crimea, a port that would ease their logistical needs, and the Dnepr River. Then, it would have to march westwards another 350-700 miles and fight for additional territories. Finally, Russia would also need to take over all of Ukraine, including the regions west of the Dnepr River and the Black Sea.

The consequences of a state encroaching on occupied territories are disastrous for all concerned. Ukrainians, in particular, can expect forced Russification, a practice they have experienced under Catherine the Great, Alexander II, Stalin, and Brezhnev. The Russian Federation is not responsible for the deaths of its citizens. Still, the lives of thousands of refugees are in balance.

It leads to rivalries between major European powers

The reasons for World War I are multifaceted. It was primarily the result of conflict between European imperial powers. These nations were the strongest in Europe because they had more colonies in different parts of the world. Many competed for the African continent, which they saw as a resource that could be exploited for cheap labor and manufacturing. As nationalism grew in the western world, it fueled a sense of rivalry and conflict between the European nations and between the colonies.

This resource competition was one of the leading causes of World War I. Major European military powers scrambled to expand their empires by establishing new territories in Asia and Africa. The resulting tensions between these empires and their neighbors in these areas prompted the outbreak of the war in 1914. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed by a group that wanted to unify the territories. As a result, the resulting war in Europe was one of the bloodiest in history.

In addition to promoting nationalism, imperialism cultivated a sense of superiority among European nations. Industrial manufacturing development in the 19th century led to an increased demand for raw materials and finished products from overseas colonies. With this demand for resources, imperialism provided an opportunity for European leaders to export finished products. But it also created new areas of conflict. If imperialism led to war, then it was inevitable.

After the collapse of the Third Reich, the nations of Europe began jockeying for position. Germany and Austria-Hungary had formed an alliance with Italy and France, which would protect the latter in case of an attack. Britain, France, and Russia responded by fortifying their alliance against Germany and gaining influence in Africa. The alliance between the three powers became known as the Triple Entente. The war lasted three years and was ultimately a significant cause of global unrest.

Ultimately, the expansion of empires in the nineteenth century paved the way for the outbreak of World War I. Some nations developed vast empires, while others wanted to consolidate their own, more powerful empires. European imperialism reached unprecedented heights in the nineteenth century and played a significant role in the events leading up to WWI. While European nations had been working to establish peaceful colonies before the war, they scrambled to acquire new colonial possessions. The result was an escalation of conflict between European nations.

The Fire of Nationalism

In addition to the fact that wars were often fought in distant, far-flung areas, the dominant powers also believed that a war between them and the conquered peoples would be a short and easy. This is because the big powers had already used their military superiority in Asia and Africa in many conflicts before and believed they were better at war than the conquered peoples themselves. However, in this war, the big powers lost themselves in a complex and destructive situation.

As a result of the war, many nations had imperial goals in mind. For example, Russia hoped to gain control of the Straits of Dardanelles from the Ottoman Empire. France and Britain both sought to capture parts of the Ottoman Empire. Japan joined the Entente side intending to seize German colonies in the Pacific Ocean. However, the war was also driven by economic considerations.

In addition, nationalism was overgrowing in many parts of the world. Serbian nationalism played a massive role in the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Nationalism was also promoting a sense of national glory and pride. In addition, France hoped to defeat its rivals by joining Russia’s war and reclaim territory it had lost to Germany in the previous war. The conflict also sparked the emergence of the Central Powers.

After the Scramble for Africa, Europe’s empires quickly spread throughout Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The imperial powers were after resources such as timber, rubber, rice, and other valuable materials. While Britain and France built the most prominent empires, Germany wanted to expand their empires further. Two crises enraged Germany and France and fueled tensions between the two countries. As a result, two significant crises developed.

The Allied powers did not want trouble in their backyards. So they diverted military resources to address local revolts in colonial nations. In Africa, armed uprisings and other forms of protest were a significant concern. The Allied powers sent troops to Berbera, Djibuti, and Massawa, where Christian nobles overthrew the pro-Muslim emperor in 1916.