The Strengths and Weaknesses of Major European Powers in Early Twentieth Century

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The Strengths and Weaknesses of Major European Powers in Early Twentieth Century

In the early 20th century there were six main powers within Europe.

These were; Britain, Russia, Germany, Italy, and lastly France. All of

these six countries had influence in Europe and throughout the world

but Germany and Great Britain tipped the scales as heavyweights on the

world stage. However, all was not as it seemed, all countries had

weaknesses, as well as strengths. In this essay I am going to explore

this for all of the above countries.

GERMANY:-

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Germany was the strongest country in Europe, with the most powerful

army in the world. Since 1862 they had won wars against three of their

neighbours, including France.

Germany was well positioned in the centre of Europe. However, they

felt hemmed in by enemies or people who might be their enemies.

Germany was keen to win friends, so that they could feel more secure.

Germany was envious of the empires of Britain and France and they had

only a handful of small colonies worth almost nothing. They believed

that Britain and France should give up some of their colonies to make

things more equal.

Germany also thought that a powerful country should have a powerful

navy, and embarked on a vast naval expansion to rival Britain's,

however Britain reacted by increasing their already vast navy.

Germany was also emerging as the new industrial power in Europe with

high steel and coal production.

AUSTRIA:-

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Austria, or Austria-Hungary was one of the oldest states in Europe. It

was made up of many different races (Czechs, Magyars, Serbs, Croats

etc), but the ruling family is German. Many of the people in the

Austrian empire want to govern themselves, this created unrest in the

country.

Austria had interest in the land from the collapsing Turkish Empire in

the East, the area known as the Balkans. They resented Russia's claim

to look after some of the Slav people in their empire. In particular

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