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This is illustrated in the latter stages of the sass’s with the introduction of the expansionist policy of Woolliest- implemented by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1890 – which is a foreign policy aimed at achieving power by attaining an empire. There was an indisputable will toward amongst the German hierarchy throughout the 1 8th and 19th century and this is epitomizes in their belief that major conflict was fundamental. Also the Status-Prussian war of 1866 showed a clear attempt to expand and dominate the neighboring areas of Germany.
Wilhelm strongly believed that he had a divine right as leader to accomplish German authority and his attitude certainly caused Britain, France and Russia to create the triple entente between 1904 and 1907 as a defense mechanism. As we know, this alliance agreement plunged Europe Into conflict with no real choice so therefore German bled for superiority can be seen as a direct cause of war. It was believed a strong military was critical in order for nations to achieve their imperialist aims and the increased altruism in Europe undeniably projected the notion that war and conflict was a way of life, certainly the closer to war Europe came.
The imperialistic aspiration for supremacy led to heavy investment in the military, which not only prepared the continent for war but also made it desirable. There was an egotistical atmosphere spanning across the superpowers creating a hunger to be the most dominant nation, symbolized In the Franco-Prussian war of 1871 and In the Crimean war of 1854 where France, Russia and Britain were all competing for Influence In the Middle East, at the expense of the Ottoman empire.
Furthermore, the dreadnought arms race between Britain and Germany corresponding with Russian’s Increase In weaponry highlights this common attitude. This therefore encouraged the preparation for war to be accelerated and that would have certainly assisted the feeling that conflict was inevitable. Imperialism was used as a method of industrial development for the leading European nations, and the attempted expansion of these nations created enough tension to encourage the belief that a war was inevitable.
Therefore, the continual desire for territorial expansion helped cause the war, despite it not being a main cause as it would not have created a World war itself. “The need for imperialism was felt to supplement Its industrial and this is represented by the colonization of Africa, beginning in 1881 , which shows the desperation of Germany, France and others In securing an empire. The desperation could be interpreted as the leaders of Europe believed that an empire was crucial In obtaining power and control.
These conflicting Ideologies would have led to the belief that the growth of rivals must be prevented and therefore it would have induced the belief that war was of the overriding factors of the First World War. The egotistical need for supremacy led to mass tension from many aspects; however the similarity between nationalism and imperialism makes it more difficult to measure its importance as nationalism is seen as a consequence of imperialism. Nonetheless, Imperialism and nationalism together created a mass delusion that a European war was both winnable and necessary.