causes of the two world wars (Essay Sample)

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Causes of the Two World Wars First World War Diplomatic circumstances Various diplomatic circumstances between European powers led to the breakout of the First World War. To start with, there was the Franco Russian alliance of 1894, then formation of the triple alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria Hungary. This was spearheaded by Germany chancellor Otto von Bismarck. He then maintained a non-aggression and cordial relationship pact with Russian. However, Kaiser Wilhelm 11, his successor, dismissed him in 1890, and could not renew the pact arguing that it was logically not consistent with what he considered as Germany’s commitments towards Austria Hungary. In Russian, the ministry of foreign affairs continued with friendly diplomatic relations with Germany. However, the Russian military maintained that it was necessary to form anew alliance with France for its national security. Consequently, the Tsar military aid started direct negotiations with French and Russian generals of staffs. Despite the reservations of professional diplomats, the generals managed to convince Tsar Nicholas 11 and the French cabinet to sign the pact and secret military convention came to be in 1892. It was later ratified in 1894 (Hamilton 15). There was the crow memorandum of 1907. This treaty gave rise to the Anglo-Germany antagonism. Influential career diplomat Sir Eyre Crowe spearheaded this treaty in 1907. This was brought about by the fact that Great Britain considered France as the most serious threat to its African and Asian interests. However, under a strong fear of Germany in 1904, the British concluded the “entente cordiale” with France. This was a friendly resolution of differences in Africa. The British inspired this resolution after they stood firmly beside France against Germany in the first Morocco crisis. Germany had protested forcefully against the creation of a French protectorate in morocco. In the memorandum, Crowe sought to persuade British foreign secretary, Sir Edward Grey, to conclude a similar agreement with Russia. This led to” Anglo Russian entente” of 1907 that paved way for a diplomatic cooperation and joint military planning between France ,Russia and Great Britain. Crowe considered Germany as the greatest peace threat in Europe. There were four major diplomatic crises in Europe from 1905 to 1913. During this time, there was the likelihood of a war pitting the central powers of Austria Hungary, Germany, and Italy against the entente powers of Russia, Great Britain, and France. However, diplomats managed to contain the crisis until the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria Hungary by pro-Serbian terrorists in Sarajevo in June 1914. What followed after that were diplomatic activities that guided the statesmen who made the crucial decisions leading to the war outbreak, on fist day of August 1914. Political Rivalries There were various political rivalries between the European powers that set the stage for the outbreak of the First World War. There were colonial rivalries between the powers. The insatiable appetite for expansion and wealth creation caused these rivalries. European nations needed national resources to drive the growing industrialization. The European colonized any land that could be feasibly conquered. This left the colonial powers fighting over small remaining territories like Africa interior. By the end of the eighteenth century, there were bitter rivalries as colonial powers collided with each other. Secondly, there was the arms race that was brought about by economic rivalries and colonial competition. The European powers began building military arsenals at a very high rate. The arms race continued and spiraled out of control as the European powers try to gain a military advantage over one another. The former European kingdoms had given way to nations after the Napoleonic wars. This led to widespread support to military expansion and colonial expansion. The Napoleonic wars had taught the Europeans the importance of consolidating and strengthening a nation in relation to potential rival nations. Other nations like Germany and Italy, both under provisory foreign domination, were eager to reverse the situation. Their tactics turned out to be brutal and hostile as they felt compelled to catch up with other established colonial powers like Spain, Great Britain, and France (Hamilton, 53). Due to growing tensions, complex network alliances were formed. Almost all the European powers mobilized and were ready for war any time. As Germany continued to grow in strength, Britain and France formed an alliance to keep Germany in check. France had lost a region to Germany after the Franco Prussian war of 1870. They felt threatened by the growing power along the eastern border. Russia and Austria Hungary did not trust each other due to their interest to control the Balkans. France joined with Russia and Britain, forcing Germany to two war battlefronts in case of hostility. On the other hand, Russians wanted to counterbalance the Austrian threat. Consequently, Germany and Austria Hungary formed an alliance and recruited Turkey to counter threats from Russia with the promise of taking back the lost Balkan territories. The Balkans had become a point of contention as both Russian and Austria had different agendas. When the heir to the Austrian throne was killed, Austria reacted very harshly. However, Serbia was ready to concede but Russia supported them causing Austria to declare war. This caused all the treaties to join and the Great War broke out. The Circumstances and Events that Led the Second World War The Second World War began in 1938 after Britain and France attacked Germany following the invasion of Poland by Germany. Even though the outbreak was triggered by the Germany invasion, more complex political and other circumstances ignited the war. One of the political events that caused the war breakout was the treaty of Versailles. In 1919, the leaders of France, United States, England, and Italy met and discussed how Germany was to be made to pay for the damages caused during the First World War. The United States’ president Woodrow Wilson wanted a treaty on his point plan, which in his own opinion was to establish peace in Europe. The French leader, Clemenceau, wanted to revenge and to be assured that Germany will never start another war again. George of England agreed with Wilson, although he knew the British public favored Clemenceau’s proposals. He tried to reach a c...