ALLIANCE: An arrangement

‘or agreement made by two

‘ormore countries to work
together to protect each
olher, os well as fo secure
common interests.

CHAPTER |

Ba

OCkground to World War |

powerful es a Europe had already established itself as the world’s most

powerful continent. Britsn, France, Germany and Austet- Hungry emerged
Bower uf and were known as the Great Powers. Apart from Europe, the United
powerful, Pent, USA), Russia and Japan were also becoming increasingly
Pa pensions and competition between these world powers grew 25 they
competed for colonies and sought to protect their empires. Found below are the

monly identified reasons for the outbreak of World War I.

Competition for colonies

Britain and France, in particular, built up empires by competing for and

controlling colonies in different parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia
and Africa. The more colonies they acquired, the larger their empires would
be, thereby enhancing their countries prestige. Control of the colonies also
allowed the European countries access to raw materials and resources which
were important for industrialisation. Later on, Germany and Japan also joined
the race for more territories to build up their own empires.

Arms and naval race

Military capability also rose in importance as the great powers sought to

protect their empires from one another. An arms and naval race thus began as
each country sought to build up its capabilities through increased production

of weaponry and ships.

Alliances

‘The powers also made alliances with each other so that they would have assistance
in the event of war. By 1914, the main alliances were the Triple Entente (Britain,
France and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and
Italy), As other countries joined the war on both sides, these groups became

known as the Allies and Central Powers respectively (see Figure 1.2 on page 5).

Nationalism
Nationalism also played a role in events leading up to World War 1. The

Balkan states, which included territories such as Serbia, Bosnia and Greece,
had been part of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire (See Figure 1.2 on page 5). As
the Ottoman Empire became less powerful, parts of its empire broke away.
‘Austria-Hungary and Russia both
broken away. However, the Balkan
Austria-Hungary made Bosnia part
attempted to unite the remaining
them. Serbia gained independence
Hungary. TC
wanted to control these parts which had
states wanted independence. In 1908,
of its empire. The Ottoman Empire
Balkan states together but lost control over
and sought to push Bosnia out of Austria-