This site has a short summary of most reasons of World war 1's begining. One of them is Imperialism.
ImperialismBecause Europe compeated to attempt to get a bigger cut of the world, it created tension in Europe. A Europe yearning for more land alliances in Europe less durable. Though these colonies might of been part of the reason for the war's start, they did help those who attempted to gain them fight in the war. The colonies they gained through imperialistic policies had their benifits. Colonies gave the countries many resources to fight, and brought in quite a bit of profit for the countries they were owned by. Colonies offered soliders for Europe, but they also were easy targets and were difficult to defend.
Another factor which contributed to the increase in rivalry in Europe was imperialism. Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.
I would agree that the colonies definitely helped out the belligerents, especially Britain. Where would they be without their Commonwealth and their resources pouring in from foreign lands?
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