Causes of WW1／WW2

Focus of the topic §

The focus of this topic is to explore the similarities and differences between the causes of World War I and World War II. The causes will be examined in three categories: political and ideological, economic, and territorial.

Background Info §

World War I took place from 1914 to 1918 and involved many countries around the world. It was primarily fought between the Allied Powers (including the United Kingdom, France, and Russia) and the Central Powers (including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). World War II occurred from 1939 to 1945 and was fought between the Axis Powers (including Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allied Powers (including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union).

Body §

• Political and Ideological

  • Similarity: Pan-Slavism and Pan-Germanism
    • Pan-Slavism
      • Pan-Slavism was a movement that aimed to unite the Slavic people in the Balkans, particularly under Serbian rule with the support of Russia.
      • This movement posed a threat to Austria-Hungary’s interests in the Balkans, which was a multi-ethnic region.
      • The growing popularity of Pan-Slavism led to the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, which were both long-term and short-term causes of World War I.
    • Pan-Germanism
      • Pan-Germanism was a belief held by the Nazis that Germany should expand its territories to areas where Germans lived.
      • Germany gradually annexed Austria and gained control of the Sudetenland and eventually all of Czechoslovakia.
    • Difference: Appeasement or not
      • Serbia and Austria
        • Austria-Hungary saw Pan-Slavism as a threat and created Albania to counter it.
        • Tensions between Serbia/Russia and Austria-Hungary led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914.
        • Austria-Hungary issued a harsh ultimatum to the Serbian government, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I.
        • Attempts were made by the UK to mediate the conflict but were rejected by Germany.
      • Germany and the UK
        • Germany’s expansionist policies were also seen as a threat by the UK.
        • Germany successfully annexed Austria and gained control of Czechoslovakia.

• Economic

  • Similarity: Economic Growth to Military
    • World War I
      • The industrial revolution led to economic growth in many countries.
      • The UK, which had been the leading industrial power in the 19th century, started to lose its manufacturing output to the United States and Germany in 1913.
      • This economic growth and competition among nations led to an increase in military expenses.
      • Imperialism also played a role in the economic causes of World War I.
    • World War II
      • Nazi Germany’s aggressive economic policies led to economic growth.
      • By 1935, Germany had more exports than imports, which enabled the rearmament of the country, in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
    • Both wars saw economic growth leading to militarism.
  • Difference
    • World War I
      • Economic growth was experienced by many countries, including the UK, the US, and Germany.
      • This economic growth led to an arms race, particularly in the number of dreadnought battleships.
    • World War II
      • Many nations were still recovering from the Great Depression.
      • The great powers, such as France and the UK, pursued a policy of appeasement towards Germany.
      • Germany was able to reach the same level of military power as France and the UK.

• Territorial

  • Colonialism and Living Space
  • Similarities:
    • Weltpolitik
      • Weltpolitik was a policy introduced by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1896, aimed at increasing Germany’s influence and colonies.
      • This policy caused tensions between the UK and France on one side and Germany on the other, leading to the Moroccan Crisis in 1905 and 1911.
    • Living Space
      • Living Space was a policy aimed at gaining land for Germans to live and for food production, based on the belief in the superiority of the German race.
      • This policy led to territorial expansion driven by Pan-Germanism and conflict with the Soviet Union, ultimately leading to Operation Barbarossa.
    • The ambition for territorial expansion often threatened other countries’ interests, causing tensions.
  • Differences:
    • Weltpolitik: German Foreign Minister stated, “We do not want to put anyone else in the shade, but we too demand our place in the sun.”
    • Living Space: “Living space for the superior race.”
    • However, there are debates regarding these causes.
      • German historian Fritz Fischer argued that they were the result of an aggressive and expansionist German policy.
      • The quote from the German Foreign Minister may be misleading due to its purpose.

Possible Essay Questions §

Resources §

Notes §

• Important aspects that are missing
  • Long term causes of World War I
    • The impact of the industrial revolution (economic cause)
    • The economic need leading to expansionism (economic cause)
    • The multiethnic nature of the Balkans and its role as a territorial cause
    • Russia’s aim to gain influence in the Mediterranean (territorial cause)
    • The role of alliances (political cause)
      • This is particularly important and should be mentioned
    • The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (introductory cause)
      • This should be briefly mentioned
    • The influence of imperialism and militarism (ideological causes)
  • Short term causes of both wars
    • World War I
      • The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
      • The July Crisis and the diplomatic and militaristic escalations that followed
      • The Schlieffen Plan and its impact on the outbreak of the war
    • World War II
      • The SCRAMCUP incident
      • The Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, including its hidden provisions for dividing Poland
      • The Hossbach Memorandum and the debate between intentionalist and structuralist interpretations
      • The embargo imposed by the US on Japan
      • The Sino-Japanese War
• Other fundamental issues
  • It may be better to separate political and ideological causes
    • Weltpolitik, for example, can also be considered a political cause
  • Japan’s role in World War II should be mentioned
    • This may lead to a different region of causes
  • Short term causes should be mentioned
    • As there may be questions that ask about both wars