Growing militarism is one of the chief causes of WWI.
Britain vs Germany
Britain, with its empire expanding the globe, had long realised the importance of a strong and modernised naval fleet. The 'two-power standard' policy that meant its navy was to be ten percent larger than the next two largest fleets combined (at the time Russia and France) meant that it was a formidable force on the water.
However, in the mid-1890s, Germany began to build up its fleet under the policy of Weltpolitik (world power). The aim was to develop a fleet that was two-thirds the size of the British navy, concentrated in the North Sea, deterring the British through the potential cost involved with engaging with such a large fleet. In this way, the architect of this plan, Grand Admiral von Tirpitz sought to neutralise British involvement in a European conflict.
The British saw this increase in military spending as a threat to their security, driving them closer to their allies of the Triple Entente. Attempts to limit mutual naval construction by the British broke down as Germany wanted a pledge of neutrality.
The British answer to Germany's increasing arms was the building of a new class of battleship, the HMS Dreadnought ('fearless'), launched in 1906. It was the fastest and deadliest battleship in existence. Germans called older ships funf minuten, as they would probably last only five minutes at the most when facing a Dreadnought
For details about Dreadnought battleship specifications click here.
However, the Dreadnought was so advanced that it made all other ships obsolete, including the British navy's fleet, which was made up of older ships. This meant that they effectively weakened their position, allowing Germany, by building its own Dreadnoughts to catch up in the naval arms race.
However, in the mid-1890s, Germany began to build up its fleet under the policy of Weltpolitik (world power). The aim was to develop a fleet that was two-thirds the size of the British navy, concentrated in the North Sea, deterring the British through the potential cost involved with engaging with such a large fleet. In this way, the architect of this plan, Grand Admiral von Tirpitz sought to neutralise British involvement in a European conflict.
The British saw this increase in military spending as a threat to their security, driving them closer to their allies of the Triple Entente. Attempts to limit mutual naval construction by the British broke down as Germany wanted a pledge of neutrality.
The British answer to Germany's increasing arms was the building of a new class of battleship, the HMS Dreadnought ('fearless'), launched in 1906. It was the fastest and deadliest battleship in existence. Germans called older ships funf minuten, as they would probably last only five minutes at the most when facing a Dreadnought
For details about Dreadnought battleship specifications click here.
However, the Dreadnought was so advanced that it made all other ships obsolete, including the British navy's fleet, which was made up of older ships. This meant that they effectively weakened their position, allowing Germany, by building its own Dreadnoughts to catch up in the naval arms race.
Number of Dreadnoughts 1906 -14
1906 - Britain (1) vs Germany (0)
1907 - Britain (3) vs Germany (0) 1908 - Britain (2) vs Germany (4) 1909 - Britain (2) vs Germany (3) 1910 - Britain (3) vs Germany (1) 1911 - Britain (5) vs Germany (3) 1912 - Britain (3) vs Germany (2) 1913 - Britain (7) vs Germany (3) 1914 - Britain (3) vs Germany (1) Total 29 vs 17 |
To consider:
Germany did not see its power lying in a naval fleet, rather it felt its strength was its army. For Britain strength lay in the power and size of the navy. Was this a mistake on Germany's part, competing with Britain on a field that it didn't see as a necessary component to its strength, whilst antagonising Britain and making the latter more determined to face Germany at some future time? Was it a whim of the Kaiser ("I had a peculiar passion for the navy. It sprang to no small extent from my English blood. When I was a little boy I admired the proud British ships. There awoke in me the will to build ships of my own like these some day, and when I was grown up to possess a fine navy as the English." Kaiser Wilhelm II, My Early Life)? Or a strategic move ("Building a battle-fleet was necessary if we wanted to become a sea-power. Sea-power was needed to protect trade, as other states had realised long before we did. Our surrounded and threatened position convinced me that no time was to be lost in turning ourselves into a sea-power." Grand Admiral von Tirpitz in his memoirs)?
Germany did not see its power lying in a naval fleet, rather it felt its strength was its army. For Britain strength lay in the power and size of the navy. Was this a mistake on Germany's part, competing with Britain on a field that it didn't see as a necessary component to its strength, whilst antagonising Britain and making the latter more determined to face Germany at some future time? Was it a whim of the Kaiser ("I had a peculiar passion for the navy. It sprang to no small extent from my English blood. When I was a little boy I admired the proud British ships. There awoke in me the will to build ships of my own like these some day, and when I was grown up to possess a fine navy as the English." Kaiser Wilhelm II, My Early Life)? Or a strategic move ("Building a battle-fleet was necessary if we wanted to become a sea-power. Sea-power was needed to protect trade, as other states had realised long before we did. Our surrounded and threatened position convinced me that no time was to be lost in turning ourselves into a sea-power." Grand Admiral von Tirpitz in his memoirs)?
Amassing Armies
Through compulsory military service, a large contingent of reservist units were available in Europe. This meant that around ten million men in Europe were able to be called up to the army in addition to those actively serving. Huge investment was made in transport and equipment, with loans being secured between allies to prepare, eg. France lent Russia money to build a rail system that would be able to reach the German frontier. Increasing expenditure meant that new weapons were developed such as machine guns. Between 1900 and 1910 European powers increased their military expenditure, particularly their army budgets, significantly: Germany (20%), Russia (65%), Italy (50%), France (30%), Austria-Hungary (25%) and Britain (30%).
After 1910, Germany and Austria-Hungary doubled their budgets, and France and Russia increased the length of time for compulsory military service.
After 1910, Germany and Austria-Hungary doubled their budgets, and France and Russia increased the length of time for compulsory military service.