Mains Practice Questions

Introduction:

The First World War (1914–1918) and Second World War (1939–1945) were global conflicts involving major powers, often seen as ideological struggles. However, they were largely driven by geopolitical interests, strategic locations, and the control of resources.

Body :

• Geopolitical and Strategic Considerations: Both World Wars were heavily influenced by geography. 
  • In World War I, the proximity of Germany to France and Russia created a highly militarized zone, leading to trench warfare on the Western Front. 
    • Also, the Battles of the Marne and Aisne (1914) halted Germany’s rapid advance into France, forcing a retreat and leading to entrenched positions.
      • These clashes, followed by the “Race to the Sea,” marked the onset of prolonged trench warfare on the Western Front.
  • Similarly, in World War II, strategic control over regions like North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia was crucial for controlling supply routes and trade corridors. 
    • Naval chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and Strait of Malacca became decisive theaters, highlighting that geographic advantages often guided military campaigns more than ideology.
• Resource Competition: Access to natural and industrial resources was central. Coal, iron, oil, and rubber were critical for wartime economies. 
  • Japan’s expansion into Southeast Asia during World War II was primarily driven by the need for oil and raw materials. 
  • Germany’s aggression in Eastern Europe aimed at acquiring agricultural and mineral resources. 
  • Even the Allied strategy, including the North African campaign, was guided by securing fuel, metals, and grain to sustain war efforts.
• Economic and Industrial Factors: Industrial capacity determined military outcomes more than ideological commitment. 
  • Nations with robust industrial bases, such as the United States, Germany, and Britain, were able to sustain prolonged conflicts. 
  • Control of industrial regions like the Ruhr valley or coal-rich Silesia became central war objectives. 
• Ideology as a Mobilizing Tool: While ideology was used to justify wars and galvanize support, it was largely secondary. 
  • For instance, the Allied fight against Nazism provided moral legitimacy, but strategic considerations like the defense of oil fields in the Middle East and securing Mediterranean access were decisive in military planning.

Conclusion:

Although ideology framed the narrative of both World Wars, geography and resources were the primary determinants of conflict and strategy. As A.J.P. Taylor argues, wars were not fought for abstract principles but for concrete power, territory, and survival.