Key Concepts of Nationalism and Imperialism in WWI

Nationalism

Loyalty to one's nation, prioritizing national interests above all.

Isolationism

A policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs.

Jingoism

Extreme, aggressive patriotism that supports military action.

Patriotism

Love and support for one's country.

Imperialism

The expansion of a nation's power through diplomacy or military force.

Social Darwinism

The application of natural selection concepts to justify social inequality.

Paternalism

Limiting individual freedom for an assumed benefit to those being governed.

Assimilation

The process by which a minority culture adopts the customs of a dominant culture.

Geopolitics

The study of how geography influences political power and international relations.

Annexation

Incorporating a territory into an existing country.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

Roosevelt Corollary

An extension of the Monroe Doctrine, justifying U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Trench Warfare

Static combat from fortified positions, common in World War I.

Militarism

Trust in a strong military and its use to bolster national interests.

Allies

Nations united by agreement, particularly during war.

Armistice

A temporary cessation of hostilities.

Propaganda

Biased information spread to promote a political cause.

Rationing

Controlled distribution of scarce resources in times of need.

Proletariat

The working class population, especially in Marxist theory.

Communism

A system promoting a classless society with communal ownership of production.

Totalitarianism

A government with absolute control over all aspects of life.

Existentialism

A philosophy centered on individual freedom and the search for personal meaning.

Fascism

An authoritarian ideology characterized by dictatorial power and extreme nationalism.

Hyperinflation

An extremely rapid and uncontrolled rate of inflation.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Italy, Austria Hungary.

Franco Russian Alliance

Between Russia and France to counter Germany's threat.

Triple Entente

Creation of an alliance by France and Russia, with Britain joining later.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Bosnian revolutionary Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro Hungarian throne.

Austria's ultimatum to Serbia

Austria sends ultimatum to Serbia, leading to war declaration on July 28, 1914.

Domino Effect

Germany declares war on France on August 2, 1914, leading to invasion of Belgium.

Triple Entente

Alliance of Russia, France, Belgium, Britain, and Italy (promised Austro Hungarian lands).

Central Powers

Alliance of Austria Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Nationalism

Advocates for political independence where a country shares heritage.

Imperialism

Involves a nation extending political, economic, and military control over weaker territories.

Motives for Imperialism: Industrialization

Driven by the need for raw materials like rubber, petroleum, steel (manganese), and palm oil.

Motives for Imperialism: Social Darwinism

Originally based on Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest, interpreted for nations as competition politically, economically, socially, and militarily.

Motives for Imperialism: Paternalism

Europeans believed that less developed countries (like African tribes) were akin to children in need of guidance.

Types of Imperialism: Direct

European powers directly ruled newly acquired lands, imposing their culture and believing the host country couldn't rule themselves (commonly used by France).

Types of Imperialism: Indirect

European powers influenced local rulers, allowing local governors to maintain some authority while serving the imperial power's goals (commonly used by Britain).

Types of Imperialism: Protectorate

European countries would protect the colony and advise local rulers, focusing on trade and missionary activities, with benefits in terms of cost for European countries unless conflicts arose.

Types of Imperialism: Sphere of Influence

European powers claimed exclusive investment and trading privileges in a given area (commonly seen in interactions with China).

Effects of Imperialism: Political Effects

Influence on governance and control over territories.

Effects of Imperialism: Economic Effects

Changing economic systems due to resource exploitation and trade practices.

Effects of Imperialism: Social Effects

Impact on local populations and cultural changes.

The White Man's Burden

The notion that Western (white) nations had a duty to civilize and modernize 'uncivilized' non-white peoples.

The White Man's Burden: Origin

Popularized by Rudyard Kipling's 1899 poem.

The White Man's Burden: Assumptions

Based on racist, paternalistic views that non-Western societies were inferior.

The White Man's Burden: Usage

Served as a moral justification for imperialism and colonial exploitation.

Congress of Vienna

Held from 1814 to 1815 to restore peace and order by reinstating monarchies and territorial boundaries.

Concert of Europe

Established to maintain the balance of power, consisting of Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain.

Liberalism

Rooted in the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, associated with the middle class of educated business people and professionals.

Conservatism

Associated with royalty, nobility, church leaders, and uneducated peasants.

February Days

A series of riots that led to Louis Philippe being overthrown.

June Days

The Upper and Middle class took control of government and workers revolted, resulting in 1,500 people being killed.

Louis Napoleon

Elected president in 1848 and declared himself Emperor Napoleon III in 1852.

Revolutions of 1848

Revolts in Austrian Empire, Italian States, and German States failed to bring significant changes.

Frederick William IV of Prussia

Rejected the call to lead a united Germany, showing the challenges of unification efforts.