Imperialism is as one of the four long term causes of World War One, and it is the political system that caused the most diplomatic conflicts. The central idea of imperialism is extending a country's power and influence through colonization by using military forces. When Imperialism empires colonizing other countries, they often fight or dispute with other Imperialism empires about the distribution of the land. For example, the scramble of Africa, from 1881 to 1914 until the war happens. Imperialism has reformed at that time, and it changed more brutal than before. It controls directly to the colonies by absolute advantage of military force and economy. After the Berlin Conference, the Europeans swiftly divide Africa into different colonies and most of the land was taken by France and British, as well as Germany. The uninterrupted disputes forced the establishment of the Triple Alliances, Entente cordial, and later on Triple Entente, which later became the most important causes of the World War One. Germany, as one of the Imperialism empire, believe that their nationality is the most supreme, the most important one in the entire world, and this made Germany very warlike. For instance, Germany national anthem at below：
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Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
Brüderlich zusammenhält.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel,
Von der Etsch bis an den Belt,
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt!
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
Unser ganzes Leben lang.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
Germany, Germany above all,
Above all in the world,
When, for protection and defense,
It always stands brotherly together.
From the Meuse to the Neman,
From the Adige to the Belt,
Germany, Germany above all,
Above all in the world!
German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song,
Shall retain in the world
Their old beautiful chime
And inspire us to noble deeds
During all of our life.
German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song!
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland!
Towards these let us all strive
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the safeguards of fortune;
Flourish in the radiance of this fortune,
Flourish, German fatherland
d
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the lyrics "Germany, Germany above all, Above all in the world" proclaimed that Germany as an Imperialism empire was extremely aggressive to other countries and that explained why Germany was dare to invade Belgium. Apart from that, Imperialism also restored a huge amount of national pride to German soldiers and politicians. That probably why German army was much stronger than any other army. Therefore, the reason why Imperialism was a non-negligible long term cause of World War One. However, in my opinion, once again, I still strongly believe that Alliances is still the most significant reason for the outbreak of World War One. At the end of the "Scramble of Africa", the conflicts between different countries have already become irreversible. The Dual Entente established in 1895 between France and Russia, the Entente Cordiale established in 1904 by Britain and France, and the Triple Entente established in 1907 among Britain, France, and Russia. On the other side, Dual Alliances established in 1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary and the Triple Alliance established in 1882 when Italy joined Germany and Austria-Hungary. In the next few years the conflicts, mini wars, and political disagreement created a tremendous tension among all countries and in 1914 when the heir of the Austria-Hungary (Archduke Franz Ferdinand), and his wife (Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg) got assassinated in Sarajevo, as the result of Alliances, the first global war began.
All in all, there are many different reasons which led to the outbreak of World War One and Militarism, the army race; Nationalism, the national pride; Imperialism, the colonies as well as Alliances the Triple Alliances/Entente, has been justified as four major long term causes. However, I believe that Alliances was the most significant causes of World War One through supports from different empires on opposite sides which changed the conflict between two countries into global conflicts, and much easier to cause conflicts when disagreement appeared.
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Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
Brüderlich zusammenhält.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel,
Von der Etsch bis an den Belt,
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt!
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
Unser ganzes Leben lang.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
Germany, Germany above all,
Above all in the world,
When, for protection and defense,
It always stands brotherly together.
From the Meuse to the Neman,
From the Adige to the Belt,
Germany, Germany above all,
Above all in the world!
German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song,
Shall retain in the world
Their old beautiful chime
And inspire us to noble deeds
During all of our life.
German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song!
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland!
Towards these let us all strive
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the safeguards of fortune;
Flourish in the radiance of this fortune,
Flourish, German fatherland
d
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