Chapter 8: The Rise of Global Powers and International Tensions

#8.2 International Tensions

1. The Scramble for Africa:

⭐Background: In the 19th century, European powers became increasingly interested in colonizing Africa for its resources (rubber, diamonds, gold) and for strategic advantage. This led to a rapid and competitive process known as the "Scramble for Africa."
⭐Motivations:
⭐Economic: Access to raw materials and markets.
⭐Political: Desire for power and prestige on the world stage.
⭐Social: Belief in European racial superiority and the "civilizing mission" of bringing European culture to Africa.
⭐Impact:
⭐Colonial Domination: By 1914, almost the entire African continent was under European rule, with devastating consequences for African societies.
⭐Artificial Borders: European powers divided Africa without regard for existing ethnic and cultural boundaries, leading to future conflicts.
⭐Exploitation: European powers extracted vast wealth from Africa, often through forced labor and the destruction of traditional economies.

2. The Berlin Conference (1884-85):

⭐Purpose: To regulate European colonization and trade in Africa to prevent conflict.
⭐Key Outcomes:
⭐Formalization of Colonization: The conference legitimized European claims to African territory, effectively dividing Africa among the European powers.
⭐"Effective Occupation" Principle: European powers were required to demonstrate their "effective occupation" of claimed territories, leading to further conflict and bloodshed.
⭐No African Representation: African leaders were not invited to the conference, highlighting the disregard for African perspectives and sovereignty.
⭐Significance: The Berlin Conference marked a turning point in the colonization of Africa, solidifying European power and setting the stage for future tensions and conflicts.

3. Attempts to Resolve Tensions:

⭐Diplomacy: European powers occasionally attempted to negotiate and resolve disputes through diplomatic channels, but these efforts were often ineffective.
⭐International Organizations: The League of Nations, established after World War I, aimed to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. However, its effectiveness was limited.
⭐Arms Races: Competing for military superiority, European powers engaged in a series of arms races, further fueling tensions and increasing the risk of war.
⭐Nationalism: The rise of nationalism in Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria-Hungary, created a climate of suspicion and mistrust among nations.

4. Growing Tensions and the Path to War:

⭐Alliance System: European powers formed complex alliances, designed to protect their interests but increasing the likelihood of a full-scale war.
⭐Imperialism and Competition: Competition over colonies, resources, and markets deepened tensions between European nations.
⭐Nationalist Aspirations: The desire for independence among subject peoples in Europe, particularly in the Balkans, fueled unrest and threatened the existing power structures.
⭐Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne in 1914 by a Serbian nationalist triggered a chain reaction of diplomatic failures, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

5. The Legacy of International Tensions:

⭐World War I: The eruption of war in 1914 resulted in massive casualties, widespread destruction, and profound social and political changes.
⭐The Rise of New Global Powers: After World War I, the United States emerged as a major global power, while European powers like Great Britain and France saw their influence decline.
⭐The Seeds of Future Conflicts: The unresolved issues from the pre-war period, particularly the rise of nationalism and the legacy of colonialism, continued to contribute to international tensions and instability in the years that followed.