Nationalism is a strong and proud status that a nation can acquire. It can be a good thing for the most part. If taken too far, nationalism can lead to bad things. At the settlement of the Congress of Vienna Austria in 1815, the principle of nationalism was ignored in favor of preserving the peace. Germany and Italy were left as divided states, but strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871. Another result of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 was that France was left seeing over Germany, and revenge was a major goal of the French. Nationalism posed a problem for Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups. The eager Pan Slavism of Serbia and Russia's willingness to support its Slavic brother conflicted with Austria-Hungary's Pan-Germanism.
Another factor which contributed to the increase in rivalry in Europe was imperialism. Great Britain, Germany and France needed markets from other countries after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.
One of the main causes of World War One is Militarism. This means you’re in favor of doing things the military way. People wanted to go to war. With all of the increasing tension between the counties in Europe war was definitely something on the mind. People get caught up in the thought of war with high emotion. Nationalism goes hand in hand with this. The more Nationalistic (prideful) you are, the more likely you are to want war. To defend your country, or defend the country you are in alliance with.
There were many alliances leading up and during WWI.
1879-The Dual Alliance-Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves from Russia.
1881-Austro-Serbian Alliance-Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of Serbia
1882-The Triple Alliance-Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia
1894-Franco-Russian Alliance-Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-Hungary
1904-Entente Cordiale-This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.
1907-Anglo-Russian Entente-This was an agreement between Britain and Russia
1907-Triple Entente-This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany.
1914Triple Entente (no separate peace)-Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately.
I think that with all of these things building up, a war was to be expected. You had too much tension between the countries. Things had to be settled one way or another. Unfortunately it was through war. I think that most countries to this day still use Nationalism, Imperialism, and militarism. Some countries practice these things to an extreme that will and have bitten them in the butt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism
http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm
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