Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
2. The most significant cause of the first world war was the system of secret alliances. These alliances slowly divided Europe into mutually hostile rival armed camps which confronted each other in the first world war. Critically analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of secret alliances in the outbreak of world war-I.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by briefly mentioning the origins of secret alliances in Europe led by Bismarck.
Body:
First, write about the alliances as the handiwork of Bismarck, who tried to build a network of such alliances against Germany’s enemies after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The system of alliances, as you can guess, helped on some occasions in preserving peace, in as much as the members within one group often held their friends or allies in restraint from provoking war. But it also made it inevitable that if a war did come, it would involve all the great powers of Europe.
Next, write about the other factors responsible for the outbreak of the war.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting the role of secret alliances in the beginning of world war-I.
