Period 3

January 24, 2009

Prompt: How did nationalism and alliances contribute to the international conflict known as World War I?

Nationalism and alliances contributed much to the ignition of World War I. It was the Franco-Prussian war that had started the ascent in nationalism among the German people.  In addition, alliances began to form between countries after the Franco-Prussian war, either for mutual gain or to form a united front against a common enemy. By 1914, the tension of nationalism, the pride in a country, and alliances, the trust and mistrust in each other, broke into the explosions and gunfire that signified World War I.

            The Franco-Prussian War lowered the nationalism spirit of France, but boosted the nationalism spirit of Germany tremendously. The war was viewed by France as a disgrace; the long lived powerful and royal nation had just lost to a newly developed country. Despite the loss, France still sought recognition as a big power in Europe. Therefore, France shamelessly demanded that Germany return the lost territories of Alsace and Lorraine back to France and ordered Germany to compensate France for the resources expended during that conflict. France was in the unenviable position of seeking to make up for all the spirit of nationalism lost from the disgraceful war. Germany’s nationalism was still burning high at that time. Germany had made up its mind to not give back Alsace nor Lorraine nor pay for resources as France had demanded. The newly developed country, Germany, wanted resources, and finally got it by defeating an all time powerful nation, France. Following this major victory, German nationalism rose; in fact, the nationalism of the entire continent of Europe rose during this time. This was because every country had pride in itself, and no country had thought of losing to another. Countries began to develop mistrust in Germany and Germany’s allies. All this thinking and causes of nationalism was all triggered by the Franco-Prussian war.

            In addition to nationalism that rose throughout the “Old Continent”, alliances also played a major role in the war. Russia was eager for warm water ports since all their water ports are frozen during much of the year. As a result, Russia allied with Serbia for its warm water ports, offering security in return. France, wanting revenge and to obtain Alsace and Lorraine back from Germany, allied with the British whom feared Germany’s fast industrial growth. Since France and Britain shared a common enemy of Germany, an alliance was appropriate. Austria-Hungary, for its part, did not like the Slavs in Serbia, and Serbia happened to be in alliance with Russia. Of course, Austria-Hungary could not handle both countries at the same time, so Austria-Hungary shared an alliance with Germany as Germany offered Austria-Hungary a “blank check”: Austria-Hungary needed the military and industrial support from Germany, while Germany needed the resources from Austria-Hungary. From here, the alliances were drawn with each side sharing common enemies, and this situation brewed and led up to the start of World War I.

            Alliance and nationalism certainly provided the necessary ingredients to spark and were the two strongest reasons for causing the world war to start. Nationalism boosted the morale of every country to fight for its own land. Alliance bonded the countries on the opposing sides together, promising each other support for war. The best way to prevent wars like this from happening again therefore is for nations must not rise in nationalism against each other and ally every nation in the world for international peace.