How Did Imperialism Affect World War One

It’s impossible to argue that the effects of World War One were devastating for all parties involved. Unfortunately the reason for the wars inception is not as transparent as its resulting destruction. This “Popular Amnesia regarding World War One” has been attempted to be unraveled by historians for decades resulting in multiple theories and explanations. The European imperial expansion that took place in the late 19th century and the tensions it created has been credited by many historians as a cause for World War One .This essay will examine the role that imperialism played in the lead up to the war, as well as the alliances that were formed as a result of the rivalries between European states.

Imperialism can be explained as openly

Russia felt obligated to protect Serbia due to the fact that a significant number of the Russian population shared a Slavic ethnicity with the Serbian people. Tsar Nicholas II gave the offical orders to prepare for war on the 30th of July, two days after Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. Germany the preceded to declare war against Russia officially on the 1st of August and since the Russia was under threat, the rest of the European powers were dragged into the war in order to oblige to the alliances. Therefore it can be argued that because of Russia, the rest of European powers had to be brought into the conflict, making it a World War.

So when asking the question what the causes of World War One are its important to remember that the rivalries between European states were intensified by the imperialism of the 19th century. Which lead to tension which became fear of invasion that in turn resulted in an intricate system of alliances “ensured what might have been an isolated crisis in the Balkans became a general war”. Whilst the effects of imperialism may not be the single cause of the war, it was undoubtedly a contributing