Throughout the nineteenth century the industrial revolution, which brought about manufacturing shift from small, independent shops to large factories, changed the economies of Europe. It also reshaped European politics and diplomacy. The new factories that sprang up across Europe required stable sources of raw materials and secure markets to which the manufactured goods could be sold. These needs led to the economic control of foreign lands by counties such as Britain. For much of the nineteenth century, Britain was the undisputed ruler of the high seas and controlled a colonial empire that covered one quarter of the earth’s land mass. By the latter part of the century, however, Britain’s naval and economic dominance faced a stiff challenge from efficient German factories, and German goods began to outsell British goods. …show more content…
This was to be achieved partly through expanding its naval force, a direct threat to Britain’s naval supremacy. Despite the economic prosperity and general optimism throughout Europe and North America at the turn of the century, many keen observers of international politics wondered how long war could be avoided. By 1914 the European powers had squared off against each other in two camps. France, Russia, and Britain’s stood together on one side; Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy stood against them on the other side. Both sides attempted to portray themselves as morally superior. Yet, in reality World War I, like many wars before and since, resulted from clashing economic interests and the failure of governments and diplomats to arrive at a peaceful compromise. Other forces, such as nationalism, imperialism, and militarism, created a situation that required only a small event to trigger a world