The Turn-of-the Century World: Pre-WWI Tensions

Imperial Competition in the 20th Century

• Germany finished a distant third in the scramble for colonies, following Great Britain and France.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany proclaimed the right to a greater Germany, paralleling Britain and France's colonial ambitions.

Transportation and Conflicts

• The Trans-Siberian Railway was the first to link Europe and Asia.
• Russia's move on Manchuria led to a conflict with Japan, escalating tensions in East Asia.

Emergence of Global Powers

• The emergence of the United States as a major global player was marked by its increasing involvement in international affairs, particularly in Latin America and the Pacific.
• America's overseas expansion was driven by a need for resources and markets to support its burgeoning industries.

U.S. Foreign Policy

• The United States announced it would intervene in the affairs of nations in the Americas if they could not manage them properly, a reflection of its growing influence.
• American attention in Latin America focused on protecting interests and stabilizing governments through policies like the Roosevelt Corollary.

Dominance in the Americas

• At the turn of the 20th century, the United States sought to establish itself as the dominant power in the Americas.
• The United States abandoned its traditional isolationist policy to engage more closely in international relations.

Global Empires

• Britain’s empire was characterized by the expression "the sun never sets on the British Empire," indicating its vast global reach.
• Both Germany and the United States were described as ambitious and rapidly industrializing nations during this period.

Spheres of Influence

• Russia and Britain held substantial holdings in Asia, sharing dominance in that region along with their influence over Japan.
• China was struggling with the spheres of influence carved out by European powers and Japan, facing internal division and external pressures.

Regional Competition

• The Ottoman Empire, centered in present-day Turkey, was a major player in regional politics at the turn of the 20th century.
• Germany and Britain emerged as key competitors for land and influence in Europe.

Colonial Control in Africa

• The three nations that ruled most of Africa at the turn of the 20th century were Great Britain, France, and Belgium.
• Japan was actively seeking power in mainland Asia, marking its rise as an imperial force.

Explore the geopolitical rivalries, tensions, and power struggles that paved the way for World War I, encompassing countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Delve into the competition for land, influence, and colonies among nations like Austria-Hungary, Russia, Germany, France, the Ottoman Empire, and the United States.