The Role Of Nationalism In World War I

A key concept, with enormous impact on World War I, from its earliest days through the formation of the peace agreement reached following the war, was nationalism. Prior to World War I, tensions were high in Europe. In many nations, such as Serbia, there was a large growth of nationalism and a desire for an independent state and strengthening of said state. The conflicts that arose from this desire led in part, to WWI. Nationalism reached its zenith during the tumultuous days of the early twentieth century, leading up to World War I as citizens throughout the world struggled against the stranglehold of oppressive governments, perceived by many to aspire for more world control and less on the needs of the everyday lives of the populace; with
Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg knew Russia would enter the conflict, but hoped that Great Britain would remain neutral. With that hope in mind, Bethmann-Hollweg sent a telegram to Austria-Hungary, which promised that Germany would stand by them in case of war. Germany wanted to avoid a two-front war (with France and Russia) and believed they would be able to do so because of the amount of time it would take Russia to mobilize. Their plan to avoid a two-front war was known as the Schlieffen Plan. The Schlieffen Plan called for a quick victory over France following an attack through neutral Belgium, the quickest way to reach Paris, before turning to Russia. Upon hearing of this, Great Britain declared war on Germany. Later on, when Germany was feeling unsure about what the war’s outcome would be, Russia bowed out of the war. Therefore, Germany determined they had a chance to win. However, due to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and attacks on US ships, the United States entered the war. The entry of the United States foreshadowed an unfavorable outcome for the Germans In every country people believed that their nation was right to defend itself from foreign aggression because of
Nationalism contributed to the road to WWI through strengthening people’s belief in their country’s dominance. Additionally, nationalism played a major role throughout the war. FOr example, Serbia’s hostility toward Austria-Hungary due to their desire to build a state with all ethnic Serbs. Furthermore, Serbia’s later involvement in the assassination of Austria-Hungary’s Archduke solidified their conflict and in part escalated said conflict into a full blown war. Of equal importance was the role nationalism played in the Treaty of Versailles. Nationalism was the largest motive for the reparations that the “Big Three” wanted to be paid were put in place. However, rather than lasting peace, the immediate postwar years brought economic crisis and violent political conflict. Nationalism played a major