The Significance of the Main Changes in International Relations (1890-1939)

The Decline of Bismarck’s System and the Scramble for Africa

Following the dismissal of Otto von Bismarck in 1890, Germany pursued a more aggressive foreign policy, leaving Bismarck’s delicate system of alliances in peril.
The Scramble for Africa (1881-1914) saw European powers vie for territorial control, heightening international tensions. Britain and France particularly clashed in the Fashoda Incident (1898), though eventually reached a resolution.

The Emergence of the Alliance System

The Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (1882) was created, introducing a formal support system between these states.
To counterbalance this, the Triple Entente emerged between Britain, France, and Russia (1907).
These systems turned Europe into two opposing blocs, a factor that would contribute to the outbreak of World War I.

World War I (1914-1918)

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the war, but underlying issues were related to the ongoing tensions and alliances.
The war resulted in drastic changes in international relations, including the end of imperial German, Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires.
It also initiated the League of Nations as a global peacekeeping body (1920), though its effectivity was limited.

Interwar Period (1919-1939)

The Treaty of Versailles (1919) ended WWI, but its harsh terms against Germany sowed seeds for future conflict, damaging international relations.
The Great Depression (1929) led to economic hardship worldwide, reducing international collaboration and increasing nationalistic attitudes.
Growing political and social instability in this period allowed extremist ideologies to flourish, most notably Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany.
Germany under Adolf Hitler pursued a policy of aggression and territorial expansion, leading to the Munich Agreement (1938) and ultimately World War II.

Technology, Warfare and the Onset of Total War

Technological advancements dramatically changed warfare tactics and increased the scale and horrors of war, introducing the concept of total war.
Introduction of the doctrine of attrition and trench warfare during WWI led to a greater impact on civilian life and widespread social upheaval.
By 1939, advancement in bombing technology threatened the entire civilian populations of involved countries, reinforcing total war and further complicating international relations.