Armed Forces of the Great Powers

• European armed forces were not as strong due to the lack of major wars since 1870-71, leading to low pressure to maintain large armies
• Most fighting in the late 1800s in Europe was to defend or expand overseas territories, often against natives who were not well-equipped for combat
• Britain, being an island, faced less fear of invasion, resulting in a relatively small army despite its imperial power and no conscription
• The British army had 430,000 troops in 1901 and saw action in Egypt and the Zulu Kingdoms, but campaigns against inferior armies left them unprepared for more equally matched opponents
• By 1914, the British army had only grown to 730,000 due to public opposition to high military spending
• Extensive reforms in the British army included reducing soldier's length of service, improving conditions, and basing promotions on merit rather than wealth
• Britain had the largest navy in Europe, with battleships needed to protect the empire and merchant ships for transportation
• Germany had formidable military strength due to a strong economy, a large population for potential soldiers, a strong military tradition, and high pride in the army among citizens
• Wilhelm II of Germany was competitive and keen on military matters, leading to efforts to catch up with the British navy, including passing the First Naval Law in 1898
• Russia had the largest population and conscription, resulting in the largest army in the late 1800s, but training was inferior to Germany and soldiers often had poor living conditions
• France, after the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71, faced disagreements on the purpose of their army between left-wing thinkers who wanted a people's army for self-defense and right-wing thinkers who wanted a professional army like Germany's
• In Austria-Hungary, the army focused on the rivalry between the two states, with discrimination against subject races leading to alliances seeking ways out of oppression
• The Austrian-Hungarian army traditionally consisted of German-speaking Austrians aiming to match the military success of the Prussians