European Powers and International Relations: 1870-1914

The Great European Powers 1870-1914

Between 1870 and 1914, the imperialist or colonialist policy launched by major European powers created rivalries between countries outside Europe that triggered the First World War.

In Western Europe

The United Kingdom, at the end of the Victorian era, continued to be the trading power and financial center of the world. France remained among the major powers, and Germany acceded to this category due to the strong development of its industry, which became the leading economic power in Europe.

Outside Europe

Two new powers were consolidated outside Europe. The United States, after the Civil War (1861-1865), became a great industrial power. Japan's rapid industrialization began, raising its weight in the Pacific area.

International Relations in Europe

International relations in Europe went through two distinct stages:

• Bismarckian Systems (1871-1890)

  After the unification of Germany, Chancellor Bismarck organized international relations in Europe. His goal was to isolate France and to prevent Russia from allying against Germany. He further developed a system of alliances, but this system failed, and a period called the armed peace began.

• The Armed Peace (1891-1914)

  This was a period when European countries rearmed and organized into two blocks of alliances: The Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. These two blocks ended up facing each other in the First World War.

Population Growth, Urban Growth, and Emigration

• The European Population Growth

  European population growth accelerated between 1870 and 1914, going from 300 to 400 million people. The result was high emigration abroad and urban population growth.

• External Migration

  External migration affected a considerable number of people. These initially came from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scandinavia, and later from Central, Eastern, and Mediterranean Europe. Their main destination countries were new (North America and especially the U.S.).

• Migration was supported by governments to relieve unemployment and social conflicts, as well as by countries needing settlers. It was facilitated by better and cheaper shipping.

• Cities Continued to Grow

  Between one-third and half of the population of the most industrialized countries lived in cities of more than one million inhabitants. Their appearance underwent continuous transformations.