The empires strike back
The main protagonists
The major empires of the First World War were often closely related and held in a state of fragile balance. In some cases, the leaders of states were physically related to each other. The following is a summary of the main empires fighting in the European theatre.
Early propaganda poster of the leaders of the four Allied powers: pictured are King George V, Lord Kitchener, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, King Albert of Belgium, General Joffre of France and Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia
LP Pictures
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The British Empire
The British Empire was the largest empire the world has ever known, covering over a third of the planet. With roots going back to the explorers of the Middle Ages, it had grown through colonisation, enforced annexation of lands and commercial imperialism. It stretched across vast continents, earning the famous title of the 'empire on which the sun never sets'. The largest and most powerful navy in the world patrolled the seas that connected her domain, while the government could call on almost endless resources of materiel and manpower.
Of the Commonwealth countries – who were automatically at war with Germany by default when Britain declared – Australia, India, New Zealand and Canada provided the most forces. The Oceanic countries of Australia and New Zealand were combined into their own army corps known as the ANZACs and fought on fronts as diverse as the Fromelles section of the Somme, the quagmire of Passchendaele and the death-trap of Gallipoli. The Canadian forces witnessed widespread actions across the Western Front and were involved in every major campaign, while the Indian Army provided over 1 million men and fought on every front, from Europe to Mesopotamia, gaining a fine reputation as especially efficient troops and laying the foundations for the world renown of the Gurkhas.
Many volunteers were also drawn from the smaller nations of the Empire – from the South Africans who fought in the colonial actions of the African campaign and also in Europe, to the Irish whose thousands of volunteers faced a difficult homecoming in the face of uprising. Even the smaller islands took part – for example, the Black West Indian Regiment raised a force of over 16,000 young men who played vital roles. All of these elements were combined in the overall might of the British Empire.
The German Empire
Germany was a little late to the empire-building game, and when they initiated international expansion, they found that many territories had already been claimed by other powers. Both East and West African countries – such as Rwanda, Tanzania and Namibia – were home to German colonies, and other settlements were started in the Pacific islands. One of the most contentious colonies was at Kiaochow, a region of China, which would spark drawn-out diplomatic arguments between the two nations and eventually draw China into the war. Germany's greatest imperial presence was as a particularly strong industrial nation, and as a main producer of the world's iron and steel.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a fragile structure, which included large parts of the Balkans – themselves equally sensitive after years of fighting and subversion against the Ottoman Empire. Following a financial catastrophe when the Austrian banking community suffered severe collapse, the empire was on the verge of downfall. When the heir to the ruling Habsburg dynasty, Franz Ferdinand, was shot by Serb Gavrilo Princip on 28 June 1914, the struggling empire could not afford to lose face, and so the wheels of the war machine started grinding uncontrollably forward.
The Russian Empire
At the turn of the century the Russian Empire was on the verge of collapse due to financial ruin. The massive state was connected as a single landmass (in contrast to the other empires whose concerns were spread across the globe), but contained many races and religions. Often referred to as the 'bread basket of Europe', the Russian Empire was slow to embrace industry and bore the weight of its economy on agriculture. Though interests in the Balkans brought the Russians into the war, revolution was to destroy the empire and force its withdrawal.
The Lancashire Fusiliers arrive at Cape Helles, the main landing
point for the Gallipoli campaign into Ottoman territory
Imperial War Museum (Q25159)
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The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was centred on Turkey and spread across the Mediterranean, the edge of the Balkans and across North Africa. With a culture going back to the medieval period, the once powerful Ottoman Empire was ruled by a Sultan who was also the Islamic leader. By the outbreak of war much of the Ottoman Empire was in disarray and showing the signs of a general fall from influence. Regions were falling by the wayside (Greece gained independence back in 1809, while Romania and Serbia broke free in 1878) as the imperial stronghold weakened. The rate of decline quickened with Macedonia and Albania gaining independence just before the start of the First World War. Uncontrollably drawn into the war because of their Balkan connections, the Turks could barely afford the coming campaign, yet they fought doggedly in the face of the Allies at Gallipoli, and forced their enemy to withdraw.
The French Empire
French colonial expansion was very successful and, like Britain, stemmed from the time of exploration and discovery back in the Middle Ages. Though often at loggerheads with Britain throughout their imperial history, the French created successful domains in a great deal of Africa, and obtained lucrative pockets in the Far East. With additional 'experiments' in the Americas, and widespread holdings in the Indian Ocean and Oceania, these were known as their Second Colonial Empire (the first having large concerns in North America).