The Balkans included different nationalities such as the Serbs, Croatians and Bosnians, and each wanted independence for their country and they didn’t want to be combined and controlled together, which made it harder to rule. There were also a series of wars between the Balkans and Serbia, and as a result Serbia doubled its size. Additionally, Serbia was now determined to unite all Serbs into a “Greater Serbia”. The growing Serbia was a threat to Austria-Hungary, since it was easier for Serbia to attack Austria-Hungary after Austria-Hungary’s colonization of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is one of the Slavic groups with Serbia. Moving on, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, with his wife, was visiting the capital of Bosnia to check on army exercises in
Serbian Nationalism and the First World War Nationalism is a patriotic feeling, common to a whole nation. Historians tend to blame the actions that lead to the Great War on the nationalism of the nations in Europe, which lead to international tensions. It made countries feel superior and also gave them the desire for political independence. In the Balkans, it was Serbian nationalism that was significant to the outbreak of the war. (“Nationalism”)
The Confederation of Rhine, which was Napoleon's reorganization of German states, stirred the German nationalism. Napoleon unified the German principalities under the French rule in a way that he used these states provide him with soldiers and supplies for his wars and because of this, the Confederation stimulated the German desire for unification. Napoleon also
The First World War emerged from a series of events mainly the first and second Moroccan crisis of 1906 and 1911 respectively. This tested the alliance of France, Britain and Russia also known as the triple entente. During the first phase France suffered major losses in the Battle of Verdun as well as the Trench War. The Van Schlieffen Plan would have been successful had it not been for the measures France took in changing its foreign policy in the international system. France made promises to both the Italians and Serb-Croats in regards to Dalmatia disregarding the Austro-Hungarian territory.
Another incident in 1911 happened when the French were trying to mitigate tension with the moroccan people. Germany sent a gunboat to the Moroccan port of Agadir without permission, or warning. This prompted a much greater response from France as well as brought Germany and France to the verge of war. The decline on the Ottoman Empire was a major blow to Europe's imperial power. The Ottoman empire was losing war and was on the brink of collapsing which caused imperial instability.
When Germany gained power again and resisted the obligations of Versailles, other European powers became alert and saw the need for new alliances. They all feared another war. Nationalist fascist leaders gained power in Germany, Italy, and Spain. These nations were very militaristic and probed for a new war, especially Germany. It wanted to get rid of its financial obligations and restrictions of the treaty of Versailles.
The factors that led to this conflict were nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and Mutual Defense alliances. One of the causes of World War I was Mutual Defense Alliances. “The Great Powers had arranged themselves into two rival alliances, producing a balance of power that, it was hoped, would prevent war (How Stuff Works)”. This plan that was promised to bring peace actually brought the world
Greece got its independence and Serbia was allowed to govern itself, two countries who were previously under the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Countries in Europe noticed the weakening Empire, however so did Russia. Russia and the Ottomans began a war. This war was called the Crimean war. France and Britain took the side of the Ottomans because they didn 't want Russia controlling that land.
Historians repeatedly disagree with each other on how events in history occurred and why they occurred. One historian says that it’s because of this, and another says it’s because of that. Perhaps the event that is the most difficult to untangle would be World War 1. WWI, spanning from 1914 to 1918 began from the assassination of the Archduke of Austria by the Serbians. Soon after, Austria declared war on Serbia.
West Germany and Italy were preoccupied that this might weaken both the NATO and the EEC. Benelux was unwilling to consider the Fouchet Plan because of the vitality with which de Gaulle and France were pushing the plan and argued that vital decisions should be postponed until the settlement for the British membership of the EEC. De Gaulle’s support for the Fouchet Plan and his ideas for a political unity were more important than Britain’s membership in the EEC as a first priority. Both the Netherlands and Belgium were against any advancement in the directions de Gaulle wished until the issue of Britain’s application had been resolved. Even Walter Hallstein was critical of de Gaulle and tension between the six escalated.
Europe was still very unstable because of the effects of World War I especially Germany. Their politics and economy were very unstable, so it was easy for a dictator to take the “throne”. Hitler and the Nazi party soonly took over. The Allied powers continually tried to get Hitler to stop expanding and conquering other lands. Hitler agreed, but continually disregarded them violating and denouncing the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. Germany signed treaties with Japan and Italy to help them take over the world.
In the early 1900’s Serbians explored the topic of nationalism through both passive and violent exchange. These actions lead to multiple changes in Serbian politics, culture, and daily life for the Serbians. “Nationalism is an extreme form of patriotism and loyalty to one 's country.” (Alpha History)
Causes of World War I World War I was the bar fight of all bar fights and was expected to end quickly. Unfortunately, the treacherous battle field held soldier's longer than expected. At first, Europe had been flourishing with colonies worldwide and had developed in technology greatly.
Alliances were extensively responsible for increasing tensions between nations. While there were various reasons for the increase in tension between nations, the Alliance system is considered to be the most prominent factor causing tension, which in turn, led to factors such as militarism becoming prevalent. Alliances drew together nations, but while in doing so, caused fear and distrust to prevail among other nations, therefore influencing them into creating their own alliances. When alliances are formed, especially any militaristic or colonial alliance, arms races are created as a byproduct. Arms races cause tension due to the threat of war from apposing sides, which segregates the nations and creates a distinct split in opinions, and thus segregates nations into sides.
Austria-Hungary’s Cause of World War I The trigger of one gun being pulled caused the death of 17 million people. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife of Austria-Hungary were shot and killed by 19-year-old Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, during a motorcade after an unsuccessful attempt at bombing Ferdinand. Because of the Triple Entente of France, Britain, and Russia and the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy, this event started a chain reaction.