Fanatical Patriotism - Nationalism
nationalism noun
patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts [22]
~ dictionary.com
So what is it?
Nationalism makes people become proud of their country, or increases their pride, and in doing this in the years leading up to WWI, added to militarism and imperialism. Countries built up their armies, added more weapons for more power, to show that they were better or deserved respect from the other countries. By itself nationalism helped encourage countries to break away from other countries or from the empires that it was under (such as Serbia wishing to be its own country and not part of the Austria-Hungary Empire) and form their own countries. Many countries were formed as a result of WWI and nationalism. [23]
Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. World War I was triggered off by the confrontation between nationalist Serbs who wanted to establish a greater Serbia that included Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were under Austrian control in 1878 and directly annexed by Austria in 1908. Serbian nationalism against Austrian domination was shown in the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb at Sarajevo in 1914. After the incident, Austria asked to search for the radical Serbian nationalist organization that sponsored the assassin in Serbia. When the latter turned down the request, Austria declared war. [24]
In this way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a more general way, the nationalism of the various countries throughout Europe contributed not only to the beginning but the extension of the war in Europe. Each country tried to prove their dominance and power. [25]
Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. World War I was triggered off by the confrontation between nationalist Serbs who wanted to establish a greater Serbia that included Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were under Austrian control in 1878 and directly annexed by Austria in 1908. Serbian nationalism against Austrian domination was shown in the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb at Sarajevo in 1914. After the incident, Austria asked to search for the radical Serbian nationalist organization that sponsored the assassin in Serbia. When the latter turned down the request, Austria declared war. [24]
In this way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a more general way, the nationalism of the various countries throughout Europe contributed not only to the beginning but the extension of the war in Europe. Each country tried to prove their dominance and power. [25]
I hope I've answered your questions (if you have any) about one of the reasons for World War I. If you think I haven't, or think that I've forgotten something, do it here. :)
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