Imperialism and World War I: Origins of Global Conflict

Imperialism: Global Expansion and Exploitation

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of industrialized nations took control of other regions and lands across the globe. These lands became colonies and formed part of various colonial empires. The primary objectives of imperialism were political control and economic exploitation of these territories.

Causes of Imperial Expansion

Imperial expansion was primarily a result of the rise of finance capitalism. The increase in industrial production forced countries to seek new markets outside Europe, where they could also find new sources of raw materials and cheap labor. Other significant reasons included:

• For European countries, colonies symbolized national prestige and power. It was also crucial to control strategic geographical locations to gain enhanced security and military mobility in the event of armed conflict.
• The rapid growth of the population in Europe and the widespread use of machinery in factories led to rising unemployment. Many people emigrated to the colonies seeking employment, and some governments actively encouraged this emigration to alleviate potential social unrest.
• Scientific progress spurred geographic expeditions to previously unexplored regions of the world, such as the African continent, and expeditions to discover new flora, fauna, and mineral resources.
• A prevalent belief in the supremacy of European peoples led to efforts to impose European culture and Christian values on indigenous societies, which were often considered "less civilized."

Major Colonial Empires

The European powers, the United States, and Japan colonized most of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. However, the largest colonial empires belonged to France and Great Britain, who fiercely competed to gain control of colonies in Africa and Asia. Other industrialized countries began building their colonial empires primarily between 1870 and 1914.

The First World War: Global Conflict (1914-1918)

The First World War was fought between 1914 and 1918, involving various European countries alongside their African and Asian colonies, the United States, Japan, China, and some Latin American republics. This extensive participation is why it is considered a world war.

Underlying Causes of World War I

In Europe, during the period known as the Armed Peace, countries competed intensely for control of certain areas that became significant sources of tension:

• The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire competed for control of the Balkans. At the same time, Serbia deeply resented the Austro-Hungarian Empire's expansion into the region. This rivalry fueled multiple crises in the Balkans.
• France sought to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine, which it had lost to the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian War. France and Germany also engaged in intense colonial rivalry, crucial for economic expansion, particularly regarding Morocco.