World War I and the Russian Revolution
Due to the imperialist hunger and territorial ambition of the Western European nations, they went to the countries of Asia and Africa to establish institutions and expand their power. As a result, competitions in establishing institutions began among the countries of Europe.
These colonial countries of Western Europe caused economic, social and cultural damage to the countries of Asia and Africa. This had consequences in world politics that led to many events such as the First World War, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, etc.
Colonialism in Western Europe and Asia-Africa
Western European nations were the main ones in establishing institutions in Asia and Africa. Their imperialist ambitions did not spare their neighboring nations either. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg were under the control of Spain. Later, some of its provinces were annexed by France. When the Portuguese ruler died without heirs, Portugal also came under the control of the Spanish king due to blood relations. Due to which, for six decades, Spain had the monopoly of establishing institutions in non-European countries.
Similarly, Italy and the German states also fell victim to the territorial greed of France and Austria. However, when the hold of independent European powers on the countries of Asia and Africa was getting stronger, all these countries became independent and they too followed the path of their previous masters and took over some of the states of Asia and Africa.
Colonialism in Asia: After England established its foothold in India, India's neighboring countries Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Singapore
And also established an empire in Malaya. England advanced and entered China; but due to the opium trade, wars broke out between England and China (1839-42), which became known in history as the 'Opium Wars'. With the defeat of Sri Lanka in this war, England's power increased as five more ports became available for trade. Taking advantage of China's weakness, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium and America also gained commercial and political rights.
The abundant mineral oil found in the deserts of Western Asia attracted European nations to establish institutions. England, Germany, Russia, and the United States sought to protect their interests by establishing oil companies in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Colonialism in Africa: The Dutch first established colonies in southern Africa in the late 15th century. After that
England established trading posts in the Cape and France in Algeria in North Africa. Due to the Industrial Revolution, the vast area of Africa seemed more suitable for the procurement of raw materials and the sale of finished goods, so European countries competed to establish institutions. King Leopold of Belgium captured a large area of the Congo and established his power. England established its posts in Egypt, some areas of East Africa, as well as the countries and territories of South Africa. France established its state in Tunisia, Morocco, and the territories of West Africa. Germany developed its empire in some regions of East and West Africa. Italy captured the African territories around the Red Sea. Spain and Portugal also captured some territories in Africa. Amidst the competition for this territorial area, a conference of European states was held in Berlin (1884-85), in which different regions of Africa were divided. Accordingly, empires of various European countries were established throughout Africa.
On one hand, the colonialist nations of Europe wanted to establish their colonies in the regions of Asia and Africa and take control of them, while on the other hand, there was unification in Germany and Italy. Therefore, Germany entered into the competition of industrialization, commercialization and colonization. Thus, these rapidly changing trends exploited these countries politically, economically and socially. This stopped their development. Which created the role of the First World War.
Factors of World War I (1914-1918)
Some of the most heartbreaking and unforgettable events of the modern world include the First World War. The World War did not happen due to one or two events or factors. There were many reasons behind it. The First World War began on August 1, 1914. Germany defeated France in the Battle of Sedan. Therefore, France had to sign the Treaty of Frankfurt (1871 AD). According to it, it had to pay a war reparation and give two of its territories, Alsace and Lorraine, to Germany. France could never forget this humiliation. Thus, the Treaty of Frankfurt became the main cause of the First World War. Thus, at the end of one war, the seeds of another future war were sown.
(1) Economic Factor: In the 19th century, England had established a vast empire in Asia and Africa. It expanded its colonies
They became rich through economic exploitation. Due to the rapid spread of the Industrial Revolution and colonialism, Europe needed a lot of raw materials. In the last twenty-five years of the 19th century, Germany started competing for markets in Asia and Africa. Germany started offering cheaper goods than England and France. It started breaking the markets of England and France in Asia and Africa in this way. As a result, there was intense economic competition between Germany on the one hand and England on the other.
(2) Militarism: Military force was essential and important for the competition for territorial area among the European nations. Countries like England, France, Austria, Russia etc. started increasing their military strength. Compulsory military training started in some countries like Japan, Italy, Germany. Production of weapons was increased under the pretext of self-defense. Thus, militarism was encouraged and the atmosphere of war became more intense as military competition was added to economic competition.
(3) Factions-Secret Treaties Factions and secret agreements played an important role in creating the First World War. Before the First World War, the world was divided into two groups? On one side was the group of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey; on the other side was the group of England, France, Russia and Japan. A feeling of jealousy, hostility, suspicion, mistrust, fear and hatred arose between these two groups, which became an important factor in the First World War.
(4) The spirit of ultra-nationalism: The independence of Belgium and Greece and the unification of Italy and Germany are the results of nationalism.
There were; but after that the feeling of nationalism in Europe took a fierce and narrow form. Economic jealousies, tensions, rivalries and imperialism increased so much in Europe that the interests of each other's nations started clashing. The leading nations of Europe taught their subjects lessons of fierce aggressive patriotism. Love for one's own country and hatred for other nations were encouraged. The German Emperor Kaiser William II was the pioneer of hot nationalism and imperialism. He was ambitious and believed in the policy of 'world domination'. He wanted to assert his power with his enormous military power. Like Germany, the feeling of war spread in other nations as well and this resulted in the First World War.
(5) Contribution of Newspapers: The harsh, provocative, exaggerated and false articles of the newspapers of the European nations spewed venom against the rival countries and incited hostility among the people to such an extent that those in power could not even try to establish peace or reconcile.
(6) Philosophy of War: The policy of “war is welfare” now gained momentum in Europe. German writers like Trittke popularized the theory that “only the strong have the right to live.” and “war is the national necessity.” A German writer named Nietzsche called war a “holy work.”
An Austrian prince and his wife were shot dead by a member of a Serbian extremist organization called the Black Hand. Austria accused Serbia of being behind the incident and gave Serbia an ultimatum to capture the perpetrator and present him before Austria within 48 hours. Serbia declared itself unaware of the matter. Austria, not listening to Serbia, declared war on Serbia. This marked the beginning of World War I.
World War I and the Russian Revolution – Summary
1. Background: Imperialism and Colonialism
Western European nations expanded their empires into Asia and Africa, exploiting local economies and cultures.
Britain, France, Germany, and others competed fiercely for colonies, causing tensions.
In Asia, England dominated India and surrounding regions, while wars like the Opium War (1839–42) increased their power in China.
In Africa, European powers divided the continent (Berlin Conference, 1884–85), leading to aggressive colonization by Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, etc.
This global race for colonies fueled political, economic, and military rivalries—laying the groundwork for World War I.
2. Causes of World War I (1914–1918)
(1) Economic Rivalries
Industrial powers like Germany competed with England and France for global markets.
Economic jealousy and the race for raw materials created deep tensions.
(2) Militarism
European powers increased military spending and conscription.
Arms race and military buildup led to a war-ready atmosphere.
(3) Alliance System & Secret Treaties
Europe was divided into two hostile camps:
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (later replaced by Turkey and Bulgaria)
Triple Entente: England, France, Russia (later joined by Japan)
These alliances created a fragile balance of power.
(4) Extreme Nationalism
National pride turned into aggressive patriotism.
Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm II promoted "world domination."
Countries glorified war and taught hatred of rivals.
(5) Role of Media
Sensationalist newspapers stirred hatred and fear among the public, pressuring governments into aggressive stances.
(6) War Philosophy
Thinkers like Nietzsche and Treitschke glorified war as noble and necessary.
Ideas like "only the strong deserve to survive" justified aggression.
(7) Immediate Cause
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian extremist sparked conflict.
Austria blamed Serbia and declared war after a rejected ultimatum.
The alliance system caused the war to spread rapidly across Europe.
Indmirable
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