On the Eve of the Great War Nationalism and Alliances

1. On the Eve of the Great WarNationalism and Alliances Presentation created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Prentice Hall World History Images as cited.

2. By the early 1900s, many efforts were underway to end war and foster understanding between nations. In 1896, the first modern Olympic games were held in Athens. Its founder hoped the games would promote “love of peace and respect for life.” cameronfisher.com.au

3. Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, regretted the military uses of his invention. In his will, he set up the annual Nobel Peace Prize to reward people who worked for peace. www.decon.uevora.pt

4. The struggle for women’s suffrage supported the peace movement. Dutch doctor Aletta Jacobs argued that if women won the vote, they could prevent war. “They don’t feel as men do about war,” Jacobs said, “They are the mothers of the race.” Organizations such as the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom promoted pacifism, or opposition to all war. www.leiron.be

5. Governments too, backed peace efforts. In 1899, many world leaders attended the First Universal Peace Conference in the Netherlands. They set up the Hague Tribunal, a world court to settle disputes between nations. The Hague Tribunal could not force nations to submit their disputes, nor could it enforce its rulings. Still, it was a step toward keeping the peace. www.judicialmonitor.org

6. At the same time, other powerful forces were pushing Europe to the brink of war. Aggressive nationalism was one leading cause of international tension. Nationalist feeling were strong in both Germany and France. Germans were proud of their new empire’s military power and industrial leadership. mrshellshear.wikispaces.com

7. France longed to regain its position as Europe’s leading power. The French were especially bitter about their 1871 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the German occupation of the border provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. Patriotic French citizens yearned for revenge against Germany and recovery of the “lost provinces.” robertgraham.wordpress.com

8. In Eastern Europe, Russia sponsored a powerful form of nationalism called Pan-Slavism. It held that all Slavic peoples shared a common nationality. As the largest Slavic country, Russia felt that it had a duty to lead and defend all Slavs. By 1914, it stood ready to support Serbia, a proud young nation that dreamed of creating a South Slav state. http://tinypic.com

9. Two old multinational empires particularly feared rising nationalism. Austria-Hungary worried that nationalism might foster rebellion among the many minority populations within its empire. Ottoman Turkey felt threatened by new nations on its borders, such as Serbia and Greece. 25.media.tumblr.com

10. In 1912, several Balkan states attacked Turkey. The next year, the new Balkan states fought among themselves over the spoils of war. These brief but bloody Balkan wars raised tensions to a fever pitch. By 1914, the Balkans were the “powder keg of Europe” – a tiny spark might lead to an explosion. alsayeghmedia.net

11. Economic rivalries further poisoned the international atmosphere. Britain felt threatened by Germany’s rapid economic growth. By 1900, Germany’s new factories were out producing Britain’s older ones. Britain, therefore, had strong economic reasons to oppose Germany in any conflict. The Germans, in turn, thought the other great powers did not give them enough respect. www.xtimeline.com

12. Imperial rivalries also divided European nations. In 1905 and again in 1911, competition for colonies brought France and Germany to the brink of war. Although diplomats kept the peace, Germany did gain some territory in central Africa. As a result, Britain and France began to form close ties against Germany. www.kaskapointe.fr

13. The 1800s saw a rise in militarism, the glorification of the military. It grew partly out of Social Darwinism. Echoing the idea of “survival of the fittest,” one German militarist called war “a biological necessity of the first importance.” Militarists painted war in romantic colors. Young men dreamed of blaring trumpets and dashing cavalry charges, not at all the sort of conflict they would soon face. 2.bp.blogspot.com

14. With international tensions on the rise, the great powers expanded their armies and navies. The result was an arms race that further increased suspicions and made war more likely. The fiercest competition was the naval rivalry between Britain and Germany. To protect its vast overseas empire, Britain had built the world’s most respected navy. www.pourlemerite.org

15. As Germany began acquiring overseas colonies, it began to build up its own navy. Suspicious of Germany’s motives, Britain in turn increased naval spending. www.dipity.com

16. As readiness for war came to dominate national policy, military leaders came to gain wider influence. On matters of peace and war, governments turned to military leaders for advice. German generals and British admirals enjoyed great respect and got more funds to build up their forces. cdn.c.photoshelter.com

17. Distrust led the great powers to sign treaties pledging to defend one another. These alliances were intended to create power combinations that no one would dare attack. Gradually, two huge alliances emerged. cdn.dipity.com

18. The first of these alliances had its origins in Bismarck’s day. He knew that France longed to avenge its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Sure that France would not attack Germany without help, Bismarck signed treaties with other powers. In 1882, he formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary. In 1914, when war did erupt, Germany and Austria-Hungary fought on the same side. They became known as the Central Powers. upload.wikimedia.org

19. A rival bloc took the shape in 1894, when France and Russia formed an alliance. IN 1904, France and Britain signed an entente, a nonbinding agreement to follow common policies. Though not as formal as a treaty, the entente led to close military and diplomatic ties. Britain later signed a similar agreement with Russia. When the war began, these powers became known as the Allies. www.ww1-propaganda-cards.com

20. Other alliances also formed. Germany signed a treaty with the Ottoman empire, while Britain drew close to Japan. The growth of rival alliance systems increased international tensions. A local conflict could easily mushroom into a great war. www.xtimeline.com