Economic Competition for Global Resources
“New Imperialism,” a phase of intense colonial expansion by European powers, defined the period before the First World War. This drive created an environment of intense rivalry and distrust among the Great Powers. States focused on building vast empires through aggressive territorial acquisition and resource exploitation in Africa and Asia.
The fundamental economic drivers of imperialism created deep friction between the major European states. Industrial expansion required a constant influx of raw materials to fuel factory production. Colonial territories also served as captive markets where the increasing output of manufactured goods could be sold without foreign competition.
Established colonial powers like Great Britain and France viewed any challenge to their existing global economic network as a direct threat. Germany’s late entry into the colonial scramble significantly exacerbated these tensions. German leaders felt their nation’s booming industrial strength was not matched by a commensurate global empire, leading to a desire for Weltpolitik, or “world policy.”
This aggressive push for colonies meant Germany sought to carve out new spheres of influence, often directly challenging the trade routes and resource monopolies of its rivals. The competition over markets and resources became a zero-sum game, where one nation’s gain was perceived as another’s loss. This economic rivalry fueled the hostility and suspicion that made diplomatic solutions increasingly difficult.
The Direct Triggering of Diplomatic Crises
Imperial competition translated into specific diplomatic crises that solidified the opposing alliance systems. These flashpoints demonstrated a willingness to risk war over colonial possessions, hardening the lines between the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
Two specific events in North Africa, known as the Moroccan Crises, repeatedly brought Europe to the brink of war. The First Moroccan Crisis in 1905 began when Kaiser Wilhelm II visited Tangier to challenge France’s growing influence over Morocco. The subsequent Algeciras Conference of 1906 saw Britain and Russia back France, effectively isolating Germany and strengthening the Anglo-French Entente Cordiale.
Further escalation occurred with the Second Moroccan Crisis in 1911, often called the Agadir Crisis. France sent troops to the Moroccan city of Fez, prompting Germany to send the gunboat SMS Panther to the port of Agadir. This aggressive act was widely interpreted as an attempt to acquire a naval base on the Atlantic coast, directly threatening British naval dominance.
Britain publicly supported France, and the crisis ended with Germany backing down in exchange for territorial concessions in the French Congo. These crises reinforced the mutual commitment of the Entente powers. They confirmed to German leadership that their imperial ambitions would be met with unified resistance, increasing their sense of encirclement.
Fueling the Arms Race and Militarism
Securing and defending vast, scattered empires provided the direct link between imperialism and the massive military buildup known as the arms race. Global empires required powerful navies to secure trade routes, transport troops, and project power across continents. The pursuit of naval supremacy became synonymous with maintaining Great Power status.
The most dramatic manifestation of this link was the Naval Race between Germany and Great Britain. For an island nation dependent on its empire, Britain operated under the “Two-Power Standard,” mandating its navy be stronger than the next two largest navies combined. Germany’s decision to construct a large, modern high seas fleet directly challenged this standard.
Under Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, Germany passed a series of Navy Laws beginning in 1898, aiming to build a risk-fleet capable of defeating the British fleet. The introduction of the all-big-gun battleship, the HMS Dreadnought, by Britain in 1906 intensified the competition. Both nations poured enormous resources into building these ships, viewing their construction as a measure of imperial strength and a deterrent to rivals.
This competition was driven by the imperial need to control overseas territories and supply lines, transforming the rivalry into a military one. The buildup of the German High Seas Fleet created an atmosphere of profound distrust and hostility, making military confrontation over imperial and diplomatic issues far more likely.
Linking Imperialism to National Identity and Jingoism
Imperialism contributed to the outbreak of war by shaping the ideological climate and public opinion across Europe. Colonies became symbols of national prestige and strength, linking imperial success directly to a nation’s perceived worth. Acquiring territory validated Great Power status, while failing to expand was viewed as a sign of national decline.
This ideological climate fostered an aggressive form of patriotism known as jingoism, which advocated for a belligerent foreign policy and the use of force to safeguard national interests. Popular media, especially the tabloid press, often sensationalized imperial disputes and demonized rival nations, manufacturing public enthusiasm for aggressive action. The public became invested in the idea of empire, making compromise over colonial claims politically impossible for leaders.
Germany’s desire for a “place in the sun” was heavily promoted to the populace, gaining widespread support for naval and colonial ventures. This public fervor created a social context where aggressive foreign policy was celebrated. Diplomacy that involved backing down was often seen as national humiliation, ensuring widespread support for military action in 1914.