FREE ESSAY ON CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I WITH RELATIONSHIP TO CURRENT CONFLICTS

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I WITH RELATIONSHIP TO CURRENT CONFLICTS

As the war of the worlds collide between the more democratic Allies and the orthodox
Central powers, there were numerous causes to the war in which they can be summed up into
the -isms of modern analysis. In the 19th, 20th, and even the 21st century, almost all of
the conflicts can be categorized in either one or a combination of those -isms. 
Nationalism and Extreme Nationalism
One of the causes of World War I can be linked to the use of extreme nationalism. An
easily abused method, nationalism proved worthy of a war during the Napoleonic Era. 
Extreme nationalism was one of the causes of World War I because of the unification of
Germany and Italy. Nationalism led European nations to compete for the largest army and
navy, or the greatest industrial development. It also gave groups of subject peoples the
idea of forming independent nations of their own. Germany wanted to match the British
navy superiority during the reign of Kaiser William II. The nationalistic Italians who
had just unified were also willing to fight alongside the Germans in order to prove
themselves. Serbian nationalists however, were directly involved with the cause of WW I.
On June 28, 1914, the young Princip assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand and thus
brought about the ultimatum of Austria-Hungary. Encouraged by the 'brotherhood', the
Germans willingly watched over its brother and fortified the Anshluss, another case of
nationalism. The entanglement of alliances would bring about the war. 
There are many examples of nationalism in current conflicts today. In the India and
Pakistan conflict, nationalists willingly sacrificed themselves for pride and respect. As
each country devoted massive resources to the occupation of Kashmir, they both owed the
support to their people. The fear of nuclear warfare did not influence the people at all
as nationalistic groups fought over the birthplace of India. 
The lack of nationalism also proved to be a conflict for the people of Burma or Myanmar.
The militaristic government's philosophy of ruling isolated left people to live in
absolute poverty and is a major human rights concern. 
Imperialism
The start of World War I was owed partly to the imperialism that was prominent throughout
the world. A direct cause focused on the economical success of Germany. Its claims on
colonies and territory such as Alsace-Lorraine proved to be decisive and matched those of
Britain's claims on its colonies, which included India and Burma…. The economical
success brought about military innovations for Germany and it was also able to arms race
with France and Britain. During the partition of Africa, several disputes came over the
claims of Morocco that occurred twice. Both the Moroccan nationalists and the Germans
wanted France to stay away from Morocco when they tried to defend their overseas
investments with the occupation of Morocco with troops. Both times the conflicts were in
the brink of creating war but both times they were solved using crisis diplomacy.
Although the compromises proved to have a temporary delay of a war, the grudge between
France and Germany remained and German nationalists were determined to never let that
happen again. Imperialism became a cause in yet another place. Austria-Hungary instituted
political and social imperialism on Serbia in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The annexation of
those two regions in 1908 angered many of the Serbs. They wanted Bosnia and Herzegovina
to annex with Serbia instead to free themselves of their landlocked situation. The
Russian, influenced by pan-Slavism, supported Serbia and it created some tension between
Russia and Austria-Hungary before WW I. 
Imperialism would only contribute to the causes of the wars today as it has become less
prominent in the 21st century. However, in India and Pakistan, India still practices
imperialism on the Muslims of Kashmir. The United States, initiated sanctions on Cuba,
which was a form of economical imperialism that prevented the tourism market of Cuba from
gaining wealth from Americans. Other sanctions too, prevented countries from flourishing
and prolonged their poverty stricken state. Burma for example, in current debate now, was
a victim of extreme imperialism by large corporations like Pepsi. 
Social Darwinism (Neo-Darwinism)
Social Darwinism contributed to imperialism, which contributed to the cause of World War
I. Social Darwinism gave countries like Germany, France, and Britain a reason for
imperialism. The justification was that the French, Germans, and English were superior to
everyone else. The French defended its assets in Morocco. Countries like Japan and Italy
strived for colonies and with the principle of survival of the fittest, only superior
countries gain wealth and power. The result was a growing hatred among imperialists and
capitalism. Anti-imperialism grew along with communists groups following. Throughout
World War I, Social Darwinism contributed to not just the cause, but the results of it as
well and this lead to communism. 
Social Darwinism would be a cause to the many conflicts such as the Muslims and the
Hindus fighting each other in India and Pakistan. People among each side thinks that the
other side is the unnatural creation. After years of thought to be inferiority among
Western civilization, both was determined to prove itself through the more superior white
world powers. 
Militarism 
An evident cause to World War I, militarism proved to be notoriously distinguished as an
arms race. After the resignation of Bismarck, the successor William II used the growth
spurt brought about by the success of nationalistic Germany to generate a race against
France and Britain simultaneously, on land and sea respectively. Militarism would also be
associated to the occupation of Morocco by French troops as European leaders at that time
believed the use of force was a way to solve problems. This was also demonstrated after
the assassination of Francis Ferdinand. Austria-Hungary proposed the harsh ultimatum only
for the purpose of declaring war on Serbia. Each country got more and more powerful from
their domestic and foreign profits thus allowing them to continue making weapons and
Germany's navy was able to match and even best the British navy. 
In the 21st century, militarism has had its share to the disarray of the world today.
Recent conflicts included the amassing of troops in the borders of India and Pakistan.
Just recently, they have raced to gain their own nuclear weapons. The U.S. is currently
in an arms race with an unseen army, the terrorists. 
Pan-Ethnicism
Another -ism that is associated to nationalism, imperialism, and social Darwinism is
pan-ethnicism. As it relates to the cause of WWI, Pan-Slavism was demonstrated before the
war when Russia had a great influence on the Slavic countries in the Balkans. Russia sees
itself as the protector of the Slavs and during the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Russia supported Serbia as it protested the movement. As a result, Germany sought to
balance the power struggle in the Balkans by opening its diplomacy to the Ottoman Empire.
Pan-Ethnicism was also well-known between Germany and Austria-Hungary. As 'blood
brothers', every German is an Austria-Hungarian and vice versa. As we can see, the
conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia caused Germany and Russia to get involved as
well.
Pan-ethnicism can be a cause to many of the conflicts today as well. Millions of Muslims
in Hindu territory were persecuted and vice versa in the dispute between India and
Pakistan.. The Pakistanis in hopes of freeing Muslims are determined to control Kashmir
in addition to establishing national pride and reputation. Western Sahara, a country in
disarray, is fighting to distinguish itself as a country among its neighbors. This
conflict aroused the attention of many human rights people around the world.