Causes of the First World War

Europe 1815-1914

During the hundred years between 1815 and 1914 there was no large-scale war in Europe. The major European powers tried to keep the peace by co-operating in what was called the Concert of Europe ('Concert' meaning union or league). Through the Concert, the major powers of Europe would settle any disputes peacefully. The Concert also tried to make sure that no single, continental European state became so powerful that it could dominate the others.

Britain was happy with this balance of power because she was the world's most powerful country and wanted to keep things the way they were. Although Britain was obviously a part of Europe, she was more concerned with events outside Europe and maintaining her world-wide empire.

The German 'threat'

In the last 25 years of the nineteenth century a new, strong nation emerged in the centre of Europe: Germany. She had no intention of maintaining the balance of power in which all the major states of continental Europe were roughly equal. She intended to become the dominant continental power and this worried Britain.

Britain joined two other states in Europe who also felt threatened by Germany: France and Russia. Germany also found an ally - the Austrian Empire. Each side frantically built up its armed forces to prepare for war. When war did break out in 1914, it was welcomed with tremendous enthusiasm by the people of these countries, all convinced that their cause was just.

Neil Demarco: The era of the Second World War; Oxford University Press, 1993/2000, page 9 f.