According to Alpha History (2012) Militarism describes a system where military strength is emphasized and prioritized. Militaristic ideology created an environment primed for conflict. Military leaders gained increased influence and importance as many countries in Europe began defining themselves by the strength of the military. To understand why the military possessed great influence and significance it is necessary to first understand the historical context.
Countless conflicts existed throughout European history; each resulted in the shifting of power or wealth. 19th Century European history provides us with multiple examples of countries gaining and losing territory, creating an environment where military power yields international power. It is also essential to note that it is not only the nation involved in a conflict who observed the outcome. “In 1882, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy organized the Triple Alliance. In 1907, France, Great Britain, and Russia formed the Tripe Entente. In the spirit of militarism, most alliance members built up large navies and well-equipped armies” (Downey, 2006 p. 319) |
All European nations were aware of the power gained from winning wars (gaining lands, increasing nationalism, etc.) but were equally, if not more so, of the consequences a country faced when unsuccessful in military conflict. Understanding the historical context and significance of military power makes militaristic ideology not only inevitable, but logical.
Militaristic ideology combined with technological advancement of the late 19th and early 20th century resulted in an arms race among powerful European nations. For many nations, participation in the arms race would not have been possible without military officers being allowed to have political influence. (Alpha History, 2014b) “Generals and admirals sometimes acted as de facto government ministers, advising political leaders, influencing domestic policy and demanding increases in defense spending.” (Alpha History 2014b, para. 1.) In Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed with his military advisors that the expansion and modernization of the military was in the best interest of the country. Russia chose to engage in increased militarism to avoid repeating the failures and consequences losing a conflict to Japan in 1905. Britain chose to engage in the arms race as a response to the other European nations militarism (Fromkin, p. 19). The expansion and growth of the militaries in European nations created a pattern that would have the continent prepared for war on the greatest scale the world had ever seen. As one country increased spending, another would attempt to match if not surpass them. “Britain concluded that Germany’s desire to increase the size of her navy was to threaten Britain’s naval might” (The History Learning, 2015). An example of militarism in Great Britain is the design and construction of the Dreadnought. The battleship demonstrated Britain's commitment to military dominance. The increase in military spending leading to World War One demonstrates each nations commitment to dominance. (Alpha History, 2014b) As a consequence of this pressure and other factors, European military expenditure between 1900 and 1914 sky-rocketed. In 1870 the combined military spending of the six great powers (Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Italy) totaled 94 million pounds. By 1914 it had quadrupled to 398 million pounds (Alpha History, 2014b). The militaristic nature of the countries created an environment primed for global conflict. The scope and scale of the conflict increased as fear, a militaristic culture, and public opinion created a powder keg primed to explode. |