USA HISTORY

Prior to WWI, England had the world’s most powerful navy. In response to this show of strength, Germany built more powerful battleships. What is this an example of?

(A) ** Militarism

(B) Alliances

(C) Imperialism

(D) Nationalism

Concept note-1: -Germany is an example of militarism in WWI because Germany began competing with the British for having the largest navy in the world, as well as developing new weapons like poison gas and submarines, the latter being a great tool in surprise attacks.

Concept note-2: -Militarism denoted a rise in military expenditure, an increase in military and naval forces, more influence of the military men upon the policies of the civilian government, and a preference for force as a solution to problems. Militarism was one of the main causes of the First World War.

Concept note-3: -During the First World War, Britain intended to use its powerful navy to starve Germany and Austria-Hungary into submission. By maintaining a blockade of enemy ports it hoped to cut off supplies from the outside world. The consequences of this strategy were complex.

Concept note-4: -In both World War 1 and World War 2, the use of U-boats was a pesky, sometimes devastating strategy for the Germans to implement on the Allied forces of both wars. Submarines wrecked havoc on Allied blockades, brought down trade ships and battleships, and incited fear on the open seas.