Help with an assignment on world war one!?

Question:My presentation is about how imperialism and economic competition were the driving factors in the cause of ww1. My tutor said I need to find sources which claim this was not the case so that I can prove them wrong or argue against them. I've found links to all the causes but can't find anyone who has said imperialism was not an important factor. Can anyone help?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My presentation is about how imperialism and economic competition were the driving factors in the cause of ww1. My tutor said I need to find sources which claim this was not the case so that I can prove them wrong or argue against them. I've found links to all the causes but can't find anyone who has said imperialism was not an important factor. Can anyone help?

That is a hard question, even more so since everything you will probably find on here (the internet) will point you towards that imperialism WAS a driving factor for WW-1.

I got the whole question you were asking wrong so I am starting again with the same info but in a different form!

Hermann Gorter has a book, called "Imperialism, the World War and Social Democracy"

He takes a stand that the enormous growth of capital, produced by the expansion of the forces of production (economy) was during the 19th century. This is the origin of imperialism, which is the aspiration of all powerful states to conquer new territories.

Every powerful capitalist State wants to monopolize the land and the exploitation of foreign countries.

Starting in, or during the 19th century, you had England’s occupation of Egypt. Then came the Sino-Japanese War and the conquest of Korea, the Spanish-American War and the occupation of Cuba and the Philippines, the Boer War, the European expedition against China and the Russo-Japanese War.

But then the world was completely divided up. Hardly any free countries were left, even in Africa.

He claims that if there are no more countries/territories to conquer, how can imperialism be a driving force behind WW-1?

I hope it can help you on the way. Good luck!

Check into a book called The Guns of August by
Barbara Tuchman. It might have some insights in the beginning of the book. It's considered one of the definitive works on WW1. Also reference The Great War and The War To End All Wars and see what comes up.

There are many books written about the Great War and various web sites

Answer

During the beginning of the 20th century, the strongest country in Europe was Britain. Her empire was the largest, industries the richest and navy the biggest. The envious Germany soon built up her empire and challenged Britain?s position. At that time, Germany also conquered two French provinces. This made France a rival of Germany too.

The murder of the Archduke triggered the start of the war. The Archduke was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. He and his wife visited Bosnia on 28 June 1914. In Bosnia, some Serbia?s shot the couple to death. The Serbia?s plotted against the Archduke because they hated Austria-Hungary for taking Bosnia away from Serbia.

Besides these two rivalries, other European countries were also unhappy with one another. Soon they took sides and two opposing groups emerged. The atmosphere was tense. Allies:

Britain France Russia America Central Powers:

Germany Italy Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary then accused the Serbian government of murder. Soon Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, with German support. Russia, which was friendly with Serbia, came to her help.

Soon other European nations began to take sides. World War I thus started with two opposing parties, the Central Powers and the Allies. The wear soon spread from Europe to the other parts of the globe, thus earning the name, "The First World War".
well there were 5 long-term causes of WWI; alliances, military, imperialism, ideology and nationalism. The short-term cause was the assassination of Archduke franz Ferninand, heir of Audtria-Hungary. He was assassined by the Serbs, so Austria-hungary claimed war on Serbia. Germany helped Serbia, Russia helped Austria Hungary. Both countries from two different alliances joined the war led to other countries along the alliances and the empires to join the world.

Nationalism was a big factor the slavs, hungarians, serbians bulgarians, yugoslavians, etc.. wanted their own nation. What actually started it was the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in saravejo the capital of Austria-Hungary by a serbian. Austria declared war on serbia, Germany was allies with Austria so they declared war also.
Another factor was Arms Race or build up of the military mostly naval like battleships, weapons, etc... and alliances which caused problems because most of the countries involved were near each other.