A arms race was characterized by the unbridled armament of the European powers that began to manufacture ammunition and war weapons in ever-increasing quantities. Furthermore, such nations have adopted compulsory military service.
see more
Scientists use technology to unlock secrets in ancient Egyptian art…
Archaeologists discover stunning Bronze Age tombs in…
The period lived by Europe between the years 1871 and 1914 received the denomination of belle epoque (Bela Época), due to the relative peace and stability experienced by the continent. Since the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune there were no major conflicts.
A bourgeoisie lived an optimistic phase driven by the Scientific and Technological Revolution of the 19th century. The telephone, the wire telegraph, the airplane, the automobile, among other innovations, reaffirmed the bourgeois thought of stability and progress.
The internal climate of the countries – of euphoria and peace – did not slip into the external sphere, which was experiencing a period of tension between the main European powers. They disputed:
As a result, the period of peace saw the proliferation of military alliances between European countries. In 1882, the Triple Alliance made up of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary.
Between 1893 and 1907, France, Great Britain and Russia form the Triple Ententeto stop the German advance.
Thus, the scientific and technological development that contributed to make bourgeois life more comfortable, enabled the development of the war industry funded by the European powers that aimed to protect their colonial domains and maintain their markets consumers.
This moment of apparent peace experienced by Europe was marked by the arming of the powers that already had a glimpse of war. Therefore, they signed military agreements and started an arms race.
The development of the war industry, characterized by the high production of increasingly efficient and destructive weapons, occurred thanks to massive state and private investment.
In 1914, Britain was leading the naval race and the seas. Germany, which had the most powerful army in the world, began to invest in the naval industry.
The years leading up to First World War were marked by the development of transport and means of communication, in addition to investment in military service and war production.
The climate of tension and the significant increase in armaments produced on the European continent led to this period being called Peace Armed.
The economy and governments of the main European powers were already preparing for a major conflict.
Learn more at:
