Several aspects of Europe’s nineteenth-century history contributed to the First World War. Some of them included the Serbian nationalist assassinating the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the great power of Europe competing for colonies, and spheres of influence and superiority. As well as the growing arms race in naval warships especially between Germany and Britain. During this time the Western world was trying to find it’s place in the world’s stage. The fact that area was in such close proximity made it easy to be insecure about each other’s might and who would be first in the worlds order.
The disasters that best explain the losses Europe endured in the first half of the twentieth century are the real insecurities and the struggle to prove each country’s superiority. The fact that they practiced and published what each other would do in case of war mounted even greater fears over each other. It was inevitable that war would eventually breakout. Because of these tensions over ten million men died during the conflict that followed. Europe was devastated during the First World War, so much so, that they lost their stage in the world order. Even though alliances were created throughout Europe, the United States replaced them as the new super power. Another disaster in Europe and in the world was the great depression, which ruined many fortunes. It would take Europe several decades to regain the position they lost in the worlds order. In many ways they are still second to the United States.
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