The History Hub.

In 1900, Europe looked very different from the Europe of today. It was made up of a small number of larger empires rather many smaller countries. An Empire is a group of countries ruled over by one king or queen. For example, the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled over many smaller countries that today are sovereign countries in their own right; countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.

 

All of these empires wanted to be the biggest and the best; they wanted more land to bring them more money and power. Think about one piece of cake that everybody in your class would like to eat. There is going to be competition and potentially arguments before someone eats the cake (though I know you would be polite and offer it to everybody else!). Well, land was the piece of cake in Europe in 1900 and each empire was out to get it!

 

The Empires were, the British Empire, the German Empire, the French Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire. Each empire was in competition with another, this was a dangerous situation. Britain was the strongest and biggest empire because it ruled the waves. It had the biggest Navy. Germany wanted to build its Navy which threatened British power and the two countries tried to better each other leading to a boat building race in which the scariest boats were built, the 'Dreadnoughts'. 

 

Germany was also building weapons, ammunition and its economy as well as boats. Germany sits in the middle of Europe and such a growing powerhouse alarmed the countries on either side, Russia and France. They were both wary of Germany. The French also wanted revenge on Germany, they had lost a war in 1870 and Germany had taken an area of land called Alsace-Lorraine. The French wanted it back. Russia on the other hand had it eyes on an area of land known as the Balkans. Austro-Hungary also wanted the Balkans.

 

Finally there was Italy, they wanted land in North Africa, looking to build their empire. Unfortunately France too wanted this land.

 

You can see there was a lot of competition and a lot was at stake. To ensure no one country got too powerful, and to ensure the survival of each country or empire, two alliances formed. The Triple Entente  (Britain, France & Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austro Hungary and Italy [Though Italy switched sides at the outbreak of war]). These were like two sides in a football match, and the game was about to begin!