World War I

 World War I

Nations began competing globally for colonies. Most rulers and the upper class still distrusted the common man, and so resisted electoral reforms. In most European democracies, the seats of the upper house were appointed or inherited. The representatives didn’t hold regard for voters. Propaganda machines aimed at swaying public opinion with rhetoric and swagger. This often led political parties to take aggressive foreign policy stances to gain popular support. Survival of the fittest among peoples of the world was known as Social Darwinism. This led leaders to see conquest of weaker nations as their natural right. Britain led the world in electoral reforms, gradually but consistently expanding voting rights to the common man.

            German democracy was irresponsible to the will of the people more than elsewhere. The upper house members were appointed aristocracy, and the chancellor was the Kaiser, who held vast executive powers. Russia was the most autocratic nation in Europe and was slow to change. Serfdom in Russia only ended in 1861, only to have poor peasants forced off the land. Czar Nicholas II made only token attempts at reform, allowing the legislature in 1905, only after a humiliating war lost to Japan. This reform made matters worse for Czar, who promptly ignored the laws passed by the Duma, or the legislature in 1905, only after a humiliating war lost to Japan. This reform made matters worse for Czar, who promptly ignored the laws passed by the Duma, or the legislature. War only served to weaken Czar’s government, making it harder to control revolutionary groups.

            Frustration turned into terrorism aimed at political leaders through much of Europe. This era saw many political assassinations aimed at creating change through violence. Kaiser took the throne in 1888. He dismissed Bismarck from office, resenting the old man’s power and influence. Since Britain held no alliances, they would often intervene in European affairs simply to maintain the balance of power, keeping one nation from growing too powerful. The Kaiser’s unstable persona led him to antagonize friend and for alike. Kaiser dismissed the need of maintaining the treaty with Russia, which Bismarck had favored as a way to isolate France. The Kaiser let the treaty lapse, leaving Germany less secure. The Kaiser then went on to sign the mutual defense “Triple Alliance” Treaty with Austria and Italy. The new alliance left Russia feeling very vulnerable, so they began to secretly negotiate with France.