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Did World War 1 Change Essay

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Did World War 1 Change Essay
To what extent did WWI change (or not change) European ideas about statehood and nationalism?

Sources suggest that Europe's ideas towards statehood and nationalism changed throughout and after WW1, I personally agree with this statement. Nationalism is defined as loyalty or devotion to ones country followed by the belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals. There was a large impact on Europe post WW1 and this term “nationalism” had a lot to do with the situation. It was also often, the belief that an ethnic group has a right to statehood, or that citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic group, this belief was also greatly impacted by the enlightenment of WW1.
After a Period that saw great rise to the idea of nationalism throughout Europe, the time that came after the war brought vast change and meaning to how nations were described. May 7th 1919, German foreign minister
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Examples of ideas that weakened nationalism can been seen throughout the novel all quiet on the western front, in the quote “ on the body of the little recruit with the wound that is so much too big for his hip; it falls on kemmerichs grave, it falls in our hearts” the somber tone used in this quotes reflects the emotion and pointlessness felt towards fighting in WW1, for the soldiers it was a time of great despair, all quiet on the western front is a honest and open writing about the emotion and mentality of the soldiers during WW1. Another example of a piece that gives a somewhat derogatory effect towards nationalism is Dulce et decorum Est. “the old lie, Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” this further expresses the terrors of war, and how through propaganda nationalism was reinforced as a glorious battle rather than a treacherous

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