Militarism was a big reason why tensions were rising in Europe before World War I. It means that the military had a lot of power in a country, and people believed that having a strong military was key to a country’s safety and strength. Let’s look at how militarism created fear and rivalry in Europe during this time.

1. Arms Race

One major result of militarism was the arms race among the big countries in Europe. Nations like Germany, Britain, France, and Russia started spending a lot more money on their armies and navies.

For example, between 1890 and 1914, Germany’s military budget jumped from $94 million to$300 million. This led to a huge increase in the size of their army.

• Naval Rivalry: The competition in naval forces was especially intense. Britain, which had the strongest navy in the world, became worried about Germany building up its navy. This was especially true after Germany launched the Dreadnought battleship in 1906. The Dreadnought was a powerful ship that made older battleships seem useless. Because of this, countries felt they had to build their own stronger navies, leading to even more tension.

2. Military Planning and Mobilization

Militarism also changed how countries planned their military actions. Nations created detailed military strategies that needed the quick movement of soldiers. These plans often made it hard for leaders to make choices about peace.

• Schlieffen Plan: Germany had a plan called the Schlieffen Plan. This plan was meant to help Germany quickly defeat France before turning its attention to Russia. This showed how military ideas took priority over talks to solve problems. Once soldiers began to move, it would be difficult to call them back without losing a lot, causing a race to get more troops ready.

3. Influence on Politics

Militarism didn't just show itself in military spending; it also changed how people thought about politics in different countries. Military leaders started to have a lot of power in decision-making. Many people began to think that war was a reasonable way to handle problems between countries.

• Glorification of War: The common belief was that war was not only unavoidable but also necessary to show national pride and settle arguments with other countries. In Germany, for example, military leaders were often seen as heroes, and more people accepted military solutions to political issues.

4. Alliances and Tensions

Militarism also created a network of alliances that complicated politics in Europe. Countries made deals with each other based on their military interests. This meant that if war started, many nations could get dragged into the fight.

• Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente: For example, the Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, while the Triple Entente included France, Russia, and Britain. This setup meant that if two countries had a conflict, it could quickly spread and involve many others. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in 1914, it started a chain of mobilizations and declarations of war, showing how these military alliances could lead to large-scale conflict.

Conclusion

In short, militarism was very important in increasing tensions before World War I through an arms race, a militaristic attitude in politics, military planning, and many alliances. The focus on military strength made war seem not just possible but necessary. This created a situation that led to one of the deadliest wars in history, highlighting how dangerous an overly militarized society can be.