19th C. Legacy and World

19th C. Legacy and World War I

Legacy of 19th Century - Even prior to the conflict, a war of ideas -- a conflict between two different and irreconcilable conceptions of government, society and progress, caused both governments to utilize the latest technology possible in their race for military superiority. Trends that were apparent on the eve of World War I were numerous: hyper nationalism, imperialism resulting in aggressive colonialism to fuel resource needs, modernization of political and military institutions which contributed to militarism, political instability and a focus towards socialism and egalitarianism (royalty vs. democracy), and technological buildup and vying for global hegemony. The argument that World War I was planned is based on two major trends: 1) German and British Foreign Policy in the late 1800s, and, 2) Consistent and increasing militarism and military spending in most of the European powers from 1870 on ( See: www.pbs.org/greatwar and Appendix A).

Military spending was not just confined to Germany. In fact, taken as a whole, the per capita spending of what would become the Triple Alliance was greater in the period of 1870-1914, even adjusting for Britain's massive expenses during the Boer War. One could also argue that a per capita expenditure is not the only way to explain armament or militaristic costs. For example, defense budgets as a percentage of GDP, actual percent of GDP, etc. What is clear, though, is that in the period ending the 19th century, the major powers were literally pouring dollars into war preparations; whether that be new weapons, sea power, or war planning, all of Europe was at the brink (Grey, 1909). And, if one thinks of the costs of armaments being a strategy that impacts the economy and culture of countries, then it is logical that each country, perhaps in its own way, "planned" for an eventual conflict and the powder keg event (VonHarrach, 2007).

Foreign Policy, as an extension of this dramatic arms buildup, in Great Britain and Germany, shows that it was clear in the minds of the governments, war was not only inevitable, it was probably necessary for several economic and political reasons. Both Britain and Germany were vying for the premier spot as the dominant European power in both European and colonial affairs. Britain had a head start and more colonies than Germany, something very irksome to the Kaiser. Germany saw Britain's allies in the East (Russia) as being weak and unable to modernize, and believed that France would not risk her homeland on a localized Balkan or Southern European War ("The Deadly Alliances.")