High School History - WW I

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NATIONALISM Throughout the 19th century, politics in the Western world were

deeply influenced by the concept of nationalism—a devotion to the interests

and culture of one’s nation. Often, nationalism led to competitive and antago-

nistic rivalries among nations. In this atmosphere of competition, many feared

Germany’s growing power in Europe.

In addition, various ethnic groups resented domination by others and longed

for their nations to become independent. Many ethnic groups looked to larger

nations for protection. Russia regarded itself as the protector of Europe’s Slavic

peoples, no matter which government they lived under. Among these Slavic peo-

ples were the Serbs. Serbia, located in the Balkans, was an independent nation,

but millions of ethnic Serbs lived under the rule of Austria-Hungary. As a result,

Russia and Austria-Hungary were rivals for influence over Serbia.

IMPERIALISM For many centuries, European nations had been building

empires, slowly extending their economic and political control over various peo-

ples of the world. Colonies supplied the European imperial powers with raw mat-

erials and provided markets for manufactured goods. As Germany industrialized,

it competed with France and Britain in the contest for colonies.

MILITARISM Empires were expensive to build and to defend. The growth of

nationalism and imperialism led to increased military spending. Because each

nation wanted stronger armed forces than those of any potential enemy, the

imperial powers followed a policy of militarism—the development of armed

forces and their use as a tool of diplomacy.

By 1890 the strongest nation on the European continent was Germany, which

had set up an army reserve system that drafted and trained young men. Britain was

not initially alarmed by Germany’s military expansion. As an island nation, Britain

had always relied on its navy for defense and protection of its shipping routes—

and the British navy was the strongest in the world. However, in 1897, Wilhelm II,

Germany’s kaiser, or emperor, decided that his nation should also become a major

sea power in order to compete more successfully against the British. Soon British

and German shipyards competed to build the largest battleships and destroyers.

France, Italy, Japan, and the United States quickly joined the naval arms race.

ALLIANCE SYSTEM By 1907 there were two major defense alliances in Europe.

The Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and

Russia. The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Vocabulary

alliance: a formal

agreement or

union between

nations

German Emperor

Wilhelm II (center)

marches with two

of his generals,

Hindenburg (left)

and Ludendorff,

during World

War I.

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MAIN IDEAMAIN IDEA

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Analyzing

Causes

How did

nationalism and

imperialism lead

to conflict in

Europe?