The Start of World War I: Proximate and Fundamental Causes
How did World War I, a conflict that engulfed nations across Europe, start between Germany, Great Britain, France, and Russia? Why didn't similar conflicts arise in other regions?
In theory, it was a combination of treaties where Country A pledged to come to the aid of Country B if war broke out. In reality, the spark was the assassination of an unpopular archduke, which triggered a cascade of declarations of war. Behind this, the fundamental causes lay in inter-imperialist rivalries, fuelled by a 'rarefied' desire for territorial expansion, and a giant railway construction project that knit the continent together.
Proximate vs Fundamental Causes
Two types of causes exist - the proximate and fundamental. The former, such as Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination, is the trigger. The latter is the deeper, underlying reason, which, in this case, was inter-imperialist rivalry and strategic geopolitical maneuvering. For instance, after a routine military invasion of Ukraine, what started out as a localized incident rapidly escalated into a conflict involving NATO and Russia.
The Balance of Power
The balance of power in Europe rested on a series of alliances, where countries agreed to support each other if attacked. A slow communication system and a Serbian nationalist's assassination of a member of the Austrian-Hungarian Royal Family set off a domino effect of countries declaring war, leading to a global conflict.
The Significant Participants: Austria-Hungary and Serbia
While Germany, Great Britain, France, and Russia were key players, it's often overlooked that the conflict started with the declaration of war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. These two countries were embroiled in a conflict that eventually drew in the rest of Europe. However, there were underlying reasons that contributed to this war, as illustrated by several historical events and geopolitical interests.
Geopolitical Rivalries and Resources
Germany's ambitions for resource-rich territories played a crucial role in the outbreak of war. The Kaiser, for instance, had an "undisclosed” issue with Belgium, which had the port of Antwerp, vast coal reserves, and potential natural resources from the Congo. Belgium was a significant player in the iron and steel revolution, fueled by railway-mania. The Ruhr region of Germany was also a key resource, and the Kaiser was building an extensive network of infrastructure along the Rhine up to Gdansk, with no direct access to the North Sea.
A Giant Railway Network
The railway-mania was a massive project intended to cover Europe, Africa, and Asia with railways, such as the Trans-Siberian and Orient Express. The Americans were also developing similar projects, like the Transcontinental Railroad, which sparked conflicts with indigenous groups, such as the Native Americans. In Africa, the British confronted the Boers, early French settlers, in a struggle for control. In South Africa, railway-mania shortened distances, leading to detailed contact between previously separate populations and contributing to conflicts like apartheid and the Germano-Slavic conflict.
The Impact on Belgium
As Belgium was an integral part of the railway network into Europe, the railroad ambitions of Germany, and the strategic importance of its resources, led to a particularly brutal conflict. When the German armies invaded Belgium in 1914, they wrought havoc: Forty out of fifty-seven blast furnaces were destroyed. 3000 locomotives and more than 100,000 carriages were taken or destroyed. 1800 kilometers of railway were torn up or put out of service. 120,000 workmen were deported to Germany, weakening the workforce.
The infrastructure damage dealt by the Kaiser's armies to Belgium was immense, extending beyond the immediate destruction of resources to the long-term economic and social consequences.
Casus Belli and International Relations
The invasion of Belgium by Germany was a casus belli, prompting British intervention and the eventual blockade of Germany. The symbolic significance of Belgian neutrality also played a crucial role in the unfolding of events. Casus belli also included the de-militarization of the Dover Strait by the French and the British formation of a blocus, leading to the German Kriegsschiff Envelopment, where German ships seized Allied vessels.
The conclusion is that the intricate geopolitics, resource ambitions, and railway projects were instrumental in the start of World War I. Understanding these underlying factors provides a more comprehensive picture of the conflict's origins and the domino effect that led to a global war.