Short term causes of WW1

Question 1

Economics WW1 + WW2 claim

Answer 1

Revisionists of Marxist school of thought –> Economics most important

Question 2

Evidence Economics WW1

Answer 2

German expansionist foreign policy ‘weltpolitik’

Resulted in First and Second Agadir Crisis (1911)

Resulted in Anglo-French naval negotiations begin in 1912 where in 1913 –> Britain made a commitment to defend France

Question 3

Evidence Economics WW2

Answer 3

Maechling

$692 million to $318 million.

1941 - Had no natural resources so invaded French Indo China

USA end up imposing an embargo on Japanese supplies freezing oil and steel exports into Japan

Question 4

Criticisms of WW1 and WW2

Answer 4

-USA contributed to 80% of oil imports to Japan

-WW1 Thomas argues that imperial and colonial rivalries in and of themselves did not lead to war and thus an external catalyst must’ve required war to unfold. We must then question how significant economic factors were as they did not underpin the reason or outbreak of war.

Question 5

Ideology

Answer 5

One argument contends that it was rather ideology that led to the outbreak of WW1 in Europe and WW2 in the Pacific.

Question 6

WW1 Evidence

Answer 6

-Fischer corroborates this, noting both German militarism but also the rising nationalism in the Balkans

. He cites Von Moltke in 1914, who notes ‘war is inevitable, and the sooner the better’, underlining the extent to which Germany was planning to launch a continental war. This was further evidenced by the creation of a war council in 1912.

Question 7

WW2 Evidence Ideolog

Answer 7

• Bergamini notes the influence of ultra-nationalism and militarism in Japan.

He cites the announcement of ‘Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere on 1st August 1940 saw the creation of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association that same year in October established the undeniable expansionist intentions of the Japanese.

This was to only be fostered by military chief General Hideki Tojo becoming Prime minster in October 1941 but also by Emperor Hirohito who had ordered a secret evaluation of the credibility of attacking Pearl Harbour earlier in 1941.

Question 8

Criticisms of Ideology

Answer 8

• With that being said, there is evidence to suggest that war was not inevitable in WW1.

Keegan argues that war in fact was even unlikely given economic, religious, and royal links with the Kaiser Willhelm, King George, and Tsar Nicholas II all cousins. Thus he argues it was only only failed diplomacy that could’ve led to the crumbling of collective security.

• Likewise, Hirohito’s plan to attack Pearl Harbour was conditional; dependent on the failure of diplomatic talks.

Thus, it was only when negotiations were pursued in 1941 with Japan and the USA, and then subsequently failed that war was inevitable.