The Road to World War 1

Nationalism before World War 1

Sense of pride in one’s nation from common history, common language, common racial background, common cultural practices

Can be twisted into a negative/destructive force

Before 18th century, nationalism wasn’t clearly present

Nationalism Continuum

Nationalism of Patriotism (mild/healthy): e.g Canada vs. US in the olympics

Nationalism of superiority (egocentric): “We are the best country”

Nationalism of Exclusion (Radical, racist, violent): "only select people are part of the “best country”

Other Loyalties

The King: a distant, untouchable figure, but loyalty was never questioned

The Church: local clergy were the most important and powerful people in a community

Family/Community: harsh living conditions required mutual dependence, no time to debate ideologies

“Divine Right of Kings”

rule sanctioned by God to monarchs

Examples of Nationalism

Austro-Hungarian Empire: controlled much of Central Europe and the Balkans, many people wanted their own individual nations and to be free of Austria

Ottoman Empire: controlled the parts of Europe that Austro-Hungarian Empire did not (modern Turkey)

Imperialism

conquest of territory and people by another nation for the “use” of the conquering nation

Today is used with a negative connotation

Originally used in praise by the Big 5: France, Russia, Germany, Austria/Hungary and Great Britain

Imperialism (Mid 1850s - 1901)

Mid-1850s: powers colonized all over the globe, particularly Africa, Asia, and South America, leading to increased tensions among nations.

1901: The world was dominated by the British, the Austrians, the French, and the Russians

3 values behind imperialism

God (missionary motive: Christian churches travelled to “civilize” their “Little brown brothers”), Glory (power, prestige, glory) and Gold (resources, raw materials for growing industries)

Security/need to protect trade routes to far way parts of the Empire

Affects of imperialism

forced to live under foreign laws to adopt foreign languages/customs

many colonial people rose up against their “masters” in 20thC to express their nationalism through violence/revolution

Militarism

Using a military force to defend or promote a country’s interest

Need to protect your colones against invasion by rival empires

(e.g arms race: Britain vs. Germany)

Alliances

19thC European nations were making/breaking alliances with each for their own best interests and stability/peace in Europe (1839 to 1910)

1839 - Belgium []

Declared to be a neutral country after revolution of freedom from the dutch

European powers sign a document agreeing to honour their neutrality (1914 violated this)

1866 - Austro Prussian War

Otto von Bismarck ends rivalry with Austria and only wants to help decide the boss of the German states, friends with Austria as a precaution against France until 1914

1867

Austrian nation/Hadsburg Royal family unites with Hungarian nation to form one empire —> Dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary increases Austria’s strength over the many slavic nationalities

1871 - Franco Prussian War

Bismark defeats France, takes two coal rich territories (Alsace and Lorraine) and a treaty is signed in the Palace of Versailles

deep hatred between French and Germans

1873 - League of 3 emperors

Bismarck forms alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia: isolate France and stop the spread of socialism in each other’s countries

broke from conflict between Austra-Hungary and Russia wanting control over slavic people of Balkan region

1879 - 1882

1879: Dual Alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany

1882 - Triple Alliance between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy (one of the two main power blocs)

1887 - Reinsurance Treaty

A secret agreement between Germany and Russia, isolate France and prevents Germany from having to fight a two-front war (war from two sides of border)

1890 - William II rises to power

William II fires the Bismarck, reverses foreign policy from peace to expansion, refuses to renew reinsurance treaty

William focused on friendship with Austria-Hungary “dumped Russia” for them to become friends with France

1893

Treaty between France and Russia, secret until 1897 (Double Entente)

1902 - Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Alliance between England Jpana to stop Russians from moving into England’s colonial domain in the far/Middle East

1904 - Entente Cordial

Treaty between English and French

Not military treaty but does recognize cooperation over territorial questions

1907

Anglo-Russian Entente (Alliance between England and Russia, not a military alliance)

Triple Entente alliance between England, Russia, and France, formed the other major power bloc