European Dictators

In the early 1800's a dictator called Napoleon is seen by many to be the first major key personality to be a instigator of European conflict and war through the Napoleonic wars. These were a series of wars against Napoleons French army by several different colonies. These wars revolutionised European armies mainly owing to the application of modern mass conscription. This gives massive indication that Napoleon intact was a main instigator of war as the wars changed European armies and forced them to be more prepared for war, ultimately meaning governments had to invest more money into the Mary and expanding and strengthening it. The French army managed to defeat 5 of the 7 colonies again indicating that Napoleon was responsible for mass warfare as war in this many countries gives a massive indication that the man had war in his blood. The fact that peace was not restored in Europe until Napoleons defeat at Waterloo goes a long way in showing that he was massively influential in European warfare and conflict as it was only when he was defeated that Europe could rest peacefully agreeing with the opinion that key personalities indeed were responsible for conflict throughout Europe.

Benito Mussolini was another dictatorial figurehead when it came to the instigation of European conflict. He was massively fascist and the inter war years in Italy could also be called the fascist years as fascism was active in most European countries. Mussolini was also the foreign minister which gave him control over the police,army and foreign policy meaning he could go to war anytime he wanted without anyone opposing him from within the country as he was the president of the ministers as well. This gives the outlook that he may have been preparing for some sort of foreign conflict as he took control of the things that would aid him in doing so, giving indication that he may have been an instigator of conflict. Mussolini did then go on to take the African colony of Abyssinia from a much weaker and inferior African army which he easily defeated. The sanctions imposed by the League of Nations had little real effect but they gave Mussolini a chance to call his people to be patriotic and back the country, ultimately showing that he was uniting people through warfare proving and showing himself that he could use it to rally his people and get them on side in the future if need be. This gives a definite indication that he was indeed an instigator of conflict and warfare however when World War Two came about he remained completely neutral as he could not tell which side was going to win showing that he was somewhat pragmatic. This is further indicated when he only goes on to join his ally Hitler when it looked like the great powers had been defeated. He often backed out of treaties and agreements when it did not suit him or when he realised that he could not gain anything out of it showing his pragmatic nature and giving the impression that he was only an instigator of conflict and warfare not in fact a cause.

Hitler was arguably the