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On June 1914, the world saw the dawn of a new age as its super powers took to arms and went to combat. Otherwise referred to as the Great War, the First World War saw nations join its cause in a form of a ripple effect. In other words, what started as a feud between two countries forced the others to join because of treaties and agreements with the aforementioned countries. Colonies fought for their masters while allies were called on for support. The significance of the Great War lies in the fact that its effects were felt in most of the world’s nations due to the involved super powers. This paper expounds on how the involved major states, through existing alliances and other interests joined the Great War and affected its outcomes.
When referring to the causes of the Great War in “The Origins of World War I”, Hamilton and Herwig (2003) state that “it was an accident; it was neither intended nor foreseen by any of the decision makers” (p.16). It is plausible that none of the nations involved was able to foresee the number of countries that took to the frontline and the amount of time it took the war to end. However, other literatures on the war disagree with the notion that it was an accident. This is based on the notion that most countries were already brewing for war but had no reason to declare it on other countries. Evans (2014) concurs with this in his article “Before the War” when he states that, “The First World War was a struggle between empires and one of its products was a repartition of the globe” (p.17). According to Evans (2014) the major causes of the war found basis on the economic and colonial rivalry that existed by the end of the nineteenth century (p.25). As a result, the gradual acceleration of the existing competition between European powers led to the development of enmity and thus, the First World War. Thies (2002) attests to the ideologies set forth by Evans (2014) when he writes that, “Scholars view the primary cause of war to be the division of the world into territorially fixed, sovereign states” (p.155). Thies (2002) means that countries, such as those in Europe, sought to acquire more territories through conquers and colonization. Consequently, the powers sought for military allies and scrambled for more colonies to ensure military and economic support consecutively.
After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (Sagan, 1986, p.162). Germany, because of an alliance with Austria-Hungary was forced to join forces with the same against Serbia who were allied by the Russians (Sagan, 1986, p.162). It is important to note that the beginning of the war, Germany had a good number of military men, making the country Europe’s dominant power. This and the idea that Russia would take time to organize its army for war led to the German’s first form of attack against the country and France. Gorman (2014) gives an account of Germans Schlieffen Plan, which assumed that, “victory would be achieved against France; after this Germany would turn her attention to Russia in the east. It was expected that Russia would take six weeks to mobilize fully, so the French danger would be neutralized during this time” (Military Plans and World War 1). The execution of the Schlieffen Plan called for passing through France’s Eastern border to attack Russia and led to France rising against the Germans. France was forced to join the war because the German troop’s bypass of the eastern border meant going through France’s Maginot line. The Germans over estimated their power at this point and were thus, forced to fight from two fronts.
The immediate result of this violation of France’s border, as stated, was Germany having to fight against Russian and French troops at the Southern and Eastern fronts. With regard to this particular move by the Germans to engage the French and Russians at war, Duiker and Spielvogel (2012) concur with Gorman (2012) when they state that, “Under the Schlieffen Plan Germany could not mobilize its troops solely against Russia and therefore declared war on France” (p. 673). In other words, Germany was not forced by her Schlieffen plan to engage France as it was encompassed in the moves set by the preparation. However, Russia managed to organize their troops and rise to face the enemy. At the same time, the German troop’s intrusion of France meant entry through Belgian territory and according to Duiker and Spielvogel (2012), “Great Britain declared war on Germany, officially over its violation of Belgian neutrality” (p.673). Belgium was a neutral country in the sense that it was protected by the international powers from intrusion by outside forces. After consideration, it makes sense that Great Britain joined the war as it sought to maintain balance in all of Europe. The entry of Great Britain into the still growing hostilities meant that all of the European super powers were at war. It was only a matter of time before the United States chose a side to support. The fighting forces formed two major groups, the Triple Entente comprised of the French, Russian and British forces, and the Triple Alliance with Germany, Ottoman Turkey, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria (Duiker and Spielvogel, 2012, p.672).
In an attempt to gain an upper hand in the war, Germany tried to break through Europe’s defenses that were set up by the British (Gorman, 2012, Military Plans and World War 1). This was done by use of submarines, which in turn lead to the sinking of United States bound merchant ships such as the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 (Hamilton and Herwig, 2003, p.432). In retaliation, The United States that entailed six countries by then joined the war against Germany (Duiker and Spielvogel, 2012, p.672). The real reason for this has been attributed to the economic and political fears the Americans had towards the Germans’ acquisition of power once they win the war. This is so as Germany was already succeeding in some of its confrontations. A good instance is its victory over Russia forcing the latter to withdraw from the war (Evans 2014, p.20). It is important to note that the sole cause of the United States joining the war was the use of German submarines in neutral waters that threatened its economic stability. Therefore, the United States joined forces with the French and British against German’s troops. It is significant to note that prior to this the United States had maintained neutrality as they supplied both sides with arms and other provisions. With a late entry into the war, the American forces offered more troops and better economic sustenance that helped their side win the war (Gorman, 2012, Military Plans and World War 1).
World War 1 drew in more countries as the years from its commencement progressed. Based on the causes the major countries gave and those that initiated war declarations, alliances and political ideologies are evident. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia but Germany and Russia joined because of alliances with the two countries. France’s passing through Belgium violated the neutrality set on Belgium and in turn led to Great Britain’s involvement. France also joined in a bid to protect its territories from the trespassing Germans. Finally yet importantly, the Americans who had maintained a form of neutrality with the two sides were forced to join after the Germans violated an unspoken agreement by sinking their merchant ships. Other countries joined in the war on basis of said alliances while other sought to protect its borders from fighting troops. It is safe to conclude that the countries either were keen to uphold alliances or were just out to participate in the war. For instance, Great Britain joined to protect Belgium’s neutrality but no other country joined on the same reason. With the Germans and British competing for more power and territories, it is plausible that Great Britain joined the war for the sole purpose of keeping the Germans in check. Alliances did exist, but so did the need for dominance and competition among the involved countries. At the same time, the United States gave their reasons based on their economic stability. The Americans were defending their economy but not in that instant, rather they were looking at long-term effects. If German won, they would control all of Europe and in turn, the trades its people made with other countries including America, therefore affecting the aforementioned economy.
In conclusion, it is evident that the involved major states, through existing alliances and other interests joined the Great War and affected its outcomes. Coalitions did exist in the form of countries aiding each other in the face of war. Major reasons given aside from the treaties involved the economic stabilities and to some extent the political repercussions of the war. The late entry of the Americans determined the winners therefore affecting the outcomes of the Great War.
References
Evans, R. (2014, January 17-28). Before the War. New Statesman, pp. 23-29.
Gorman, L. (2014). Military Plans and World War 1. Sydney: Charles Sturt University.
Hamilton, F. R., & Herwig, H.H. (2003). The Origins of World War I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sagan, S. (1986). 1914 Revisited: Allies, Offense and Instability. International Security, Vol.11, No. 2, 151-175.
Duiker, J. W., & Spielvogel, J. J. (2012). World History / Edition 7. Connecticut : Cengage Learning.
Thies, C. G. (2002). Progress, History and Identity in International Relations Theory: The Case of the Idealist-Realist Debate. European Journal of International Relations, 147-185.
