History & Civics
How did intense nationalism lead to the First World War?
1ˢᵗ World War
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Answer
An important cause of the war was intense nationalism or "competitive patriotism".
- Germany had Kaiser Wilhelm II as her new Emperor.
- He went about proclaiming that "Germany was going to be the leader of the world."
- He wanted to establish a vast German Empire and gain important position in the international sphere.
- France and Germany were old rivals.
- After defeating France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) Germany had seized the province of Alsace and most parts of Lorraine, which were rich in minerals and industrial products.
- The French dreamed of revenge and of taking back their lost provinces.
- The Italians desired to get back Trentino and the Port of Trieste which were inhabited by Italians but were still the part of Austria-Hungary.
- Then there was the "unsatisfied national spirit of the Balkan States—Serbia and Bulgaria, of Poland and of the people of Austria-Hungary."
- The political leaders were successful in fanning hatred and passion under the cover of nationalism.
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