Question

Which of the following were issues that upset the power balance in Europe leading to the time of the First World War?

• A. Powerful European countries were at constant war over the issues of colonisation.
• B. Industrialisation created competition among the European countries.
• C. The European colonisers wanted unlimited control over the resources and markets of their colonies.
• D. Constant problems related to geographical areas due to the complex treaties that were signed between nations.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

Constant problems related to geographical areas due to the complex treaties that were signed between nations.

Some European countries in the later 19th century witnessed huge levels of industrial growth due to industrialisation. Steam engines and spinning jenny enabled mass production of goods. To sell these products and goods and establish monopolies, they established colonies. These colonies were markets where excess European goods could be sold. There was a competition between European nations over the control of colonies. Each country anticipated attack from the other and they began to militarise themselves. The event that triggered the WW I was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand.