Nationalism, Imperialism, and Militarism in World War I - Paper Example

Introduction

While the immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungarian Empire, nationalism, increased militarism, and imperialism were the supportive factors that kept the war alive until its end on November 1918. The war lasted for more than four years was as a result of a heated urge for war as was experienced before it began. Before the war, there were heated tensions between allied sides where each European Superpowers aimed to protect their allies and also their countries from invasion by opposing powers. Nationalism took the lead in the war where countries regardless of their size were ready to attack nations that they viewed as enemies. Countries also conducted offensive attacks on other states to protect their interests. Nationalism, therefore, bred extreme militarism where different countries had to build their armies in case of attacks. Most outstanding, imperial rivalry among the European countries fuelled the war. Therefore, nationalism, increased militarism, and imperial competitions can be viewed as the primary the primary factors that led to the emergence and continuation of the World War I.

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Nationalism is the character that makes one patriotic to their country and all their efforts directed towards the best interest of their country. Nationalists often exaggerate the importance of their country and are ready to give their all for the best of their country. The 20th century was the hotbed of nationalism that made nationalism arise intensely than it had ever been seen before (Joll & Martel, 2013). Each European country during the World War I could not buy the idea that another European country could defeat them at war. As a result, the wind of nationalism blew across Europe, and not a single country was at the verge of giving into war or signing peace deals even at the slightest provocation (Kennedy, 2014). During the rise of the 20th century, and across Europe, nationalism could be witnessed everywhere inclusive of literature, political debates and aggressive remarks made by the leadership of each country.

Additionally, nationalism in Europe was a significant cause for World War I seeing that it not only created confidence in the government but also inflated citizens' confidence in their governments. Countries such as France, England and Germany had spent the upper half of the 19th century building their armies making each of their citizenries believe that in the case of a military expedition, their country would emerge the best (Wertheim, 2011). Aggressive nationalism, therefore, brought scores of citizens into the military. By the rise of the war, for instance, Britain had such immense overconfidence in their navy, Germans believed in their military efficiency given the armaments, Russia believed in its high population as a power above the others while France believed in a fortress they had built as protection and defense. By the time that the war arose, there was enough confidence among the military, governments and even citizens of each country that took part in the war. The greatest nationalist movement, however, is that of the Slavic groups (Joll & Martel, 2013). In the Balkans, their nationalist movements had already spread influence which aggregated to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand thereby leading to World War I and increased nationalism from allied states.

After nationalism, militarism is the other cause of the World War 1. Militarism is the philosophy that is built on the improvement of military power, that is, the domination of citizens in the country is held by military and leadership is strictly held by the military (Kennedy, 2014). By the rise of the 19th century, Europe had the greatest militarized countries. Though military leaders did not dominate most European governments, their influence on the military was instrumental. Head military officers acted as de facto advisers to the leadership, and hence governments were more likely to heed to their call at any particular aggression.

Moreover, military leaders often took over whenever a country had a crisis in Europe. Therefore, their impact on the leadership of their countries was more into their leaning than it was to the leaning of the citizenry. Thus, the interests and priorities of the military leaders were always addressed before other pertinent factors were handled (Etherington, 2014). Consequently, military technologies, arms, and funding were increased depending on the capacity of each country, the leading countries in military powers being Britain, Germany, and France. Increased military power in various countries, therefore, gave their leadership readiness for war. Therefore, the First World War was consequently an avenue for each state to test her military power and ability over the others.

Imperialism was another factor that led to the rise of the First World War in various ways inclusive of past infiltration in colonies that belonged to other powers annexation and the conquest for more colonies in Africa and some parts of Asia. The military presence in colonies and subsequent engagements in the struggle for colonies saw various established countries form enmities amongst themselves (Mulligan, 2017). The colonies were however not just for the sake of it; they were sources of wealth that no particular country would let go. The wealth included ores, resources and myriad avenues of trade (Etherington, 2014). British, Germany, Russia and France had multiple colonies, and thus each scrambled to acquire more wealth, prove their rule on their colonies, and gain more from their colonies. As such, several expeditions were inevitable, and hence the First World War led to the formation allies in a bid to oust the other powers and gain more wealth. This approach made imperialism a driving factor into the war.

In the war, however, America tried to maintain a neutral ground owing to its diverse ethnic groups. America was a former Britain colony which kept an influx of multiple ethnic groups from different countries (Mulligan, 2017). The U.S.A considered that taking either side of the allies would abuse to some of their citizens. However, entry into the war was fuelled when Germans sank a British ocean liner which killed 2000 people inclusive of 128 Americans. President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on Germany and their allies which was unanimously agreed paving war for the active involvement of the United States into the war.

The new engagement in the war alongside British allies brought a new power into the war which frustrated all the efforts of the Germans and their allies. The German government on noting prevailing defeat asked President Wilson to arrange armistice giving rise to the treaty of Versailles in 1922 (Wertheim, 2011). The treaty included compensation of all allies and reduction of their military, territory, and population. The role of president Wilson in establishing lasting peace and controlling Germany and her allies continued since the treaty was signed in 1922. Wilson led the League of Nations in weighing out and controlling German activities until he left office. Still, the leadership of the League of Nations was still held by America that saw lasting peace till 1930.

Conclusion

World War I was an exhaustive war that brought the world to a standstill. The war which mainly involved scores of European powers was an overall result of uncontrolled nationalism, increased militarization and the conquest of imperialism. Entry of the United States was until the sinking of the British ocean liner which killed dozens of their citizens. Before the country had maintained neutral, but its effect is felt in the signing of Versailles and formation of the League of Nations under President Wilson.

References

Archer, R. (2014). The First World War was a war of choice. British Politics and Policy Blog.

Etherington, N. (2014). Theories of Imperialism (Routledge Revivals): War, Conquest and Capital. Routledge.

Joll, J., & Martel, G. (2013). The origins of the first world war. Routledge.

Kennedy, P. (2014). The War Plans of the Great Powers (RLE The First World War): 1880-1914. Routledge.

Mulligan, W. (2017). The Origins of the First World War (Vol. 52). Cambridge University Press.

Wertheim, S. (2011). The league that wasn't: American designs for a legalist-sanctionist league of nations and the intellectual origins of an international organization, 1914-1920. Diplomatic History, 35(5), 797-836.