Read the extract above – identify some reasons why expanding empires caused problems between the major powers of the early 20 th century.

1. Identify some reasons why countries expanding their empires caused tension. 2. Summarise how & why German policy changed. 3. Investigate 4 key problems faced by Britain, France & Germany when expanding their overseas colonies. 4. Analyse & evaluate source material. (A*-E grade) 5. Weigh-up how far colonisation was to blame for the outbreak of war in (A*-E grade)

Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of Germany, decided to pursue a policy of colonial expansion. Britain & France had already begun to compete over land in Africa in the early 1870s. In Germany a new policy of Weltpolitik - ‘world policy’ – developed. This argued that Germany should expand beyond Europe. Germany then began the competition for territory, mainly in Africa. Britain ended up with the largest share territory in Africa, which allowed it to have massive commercial advantages. This conquest of new territory led to a number of incidents between the colonial powers in different parts of Africa. Germany decided to create an overseas empire for itself. Weltpolitik developed. In the ‘scramble for Africa’ Britain came out on top. This created rivalry between the 2 countries.

Read the extract. In your own words explain how far colonisation was to blame for the outbreak of war in Remember: How far questions expect you to look at both sides of the argument. In what ways was colonisation to blame? In what ways wasn’t it to blame?