The Causes Of World War I :: essays research papers

The first world struggle had many causes, the historiansprobably have not yet discovered and discussed all of themso on that point might be more causes than what we know now. Inthis essay I would discuss the main causes of the wartheones that were discussed in the textbook. In the time beforethe wars outbreak (before 1914in the beginning of the speed of light) the world was separated into braggart(a) empires that hadcolonies around the world (European countries ruled most ofAfrica). There were fights and disagreements between themajor empires. Usually, when in that respect are many argumentsbetween countries, people start fear of war and prepare forit (for example, today in Israel, after Benjamin Netanyahuwinning the elections, Israels indemnity towards the Arabs andthe Palestinians have changed. There is fear from war withSyria, because of threats from both sides, so both countriesarm themselves and ready for war, just in case it wouldbreak). In the beginning of the century B ritain was the largestempire in the world, it also had the largest navy. The navywas so big and strong because the Britons needed to protecttheir empire and maintain the sea routes between thedifferent colonies. The Kaiser William II of Germany hatedand envied Britain for having a stronger navy than his. Heincreased the German navy and built many warships. Britainresponded with building more ships and increasing its navytoo. This started a line of achievement for building more and betterwarships and it created tension and competition betweenthose two countries. Germany and France were rivals forcenturies and at the beginning of the century and at the endof the 19th century the competition increased. This happenedbecause of the war between those two countries in 1870-71when Germany defeated France. Germany took over theareas of Alsace and Lorraine and the French people wantedto revenge Germany and retrieve those lands. France couldnot start a war against Germany since Germany had m oreresources and a stronger army than France. France neededallies to help it fight (the subject of alliances would bediscussed later). There was another quarrel between Franceand Germanyabout commanding Morocco. In 1905 Francethought that it should have more influence in the westernMediterranean Sea area as it already controlled Tunisia andAlgeria, it wanted Morocco too. The Kaiser of Germanyvisited Tangier (a big city in Morocco) and said thatGermany would protect Morocco in case of a Frenchattack. In 1911 France increased its control over Moroccoand Germany sent a warship. The Germans withdrew at lastbut the French gave them a part of Western Africa inexchange.