Summary HIST 405 - Historical Essay #2

HIST 405 - Historical Essay #2 On the 28th of July, 1914, World War One erupted between the triple alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, and the triple entente of France, Russia, and Great Britain. The assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand was ultimately the cause of World War One but one could also blame disparities in policies (Nathwani, 2016). Nationalism was probably one of the biggest factors leading to WWI because all of these countries were proud and thought they were the best, which led to the unwillingness to negotiate with each other (Nathwani, 2016). The belief that the Slavic peoples of eastern Europe should have their own nation, known as Pan-Slavism, was a powerful nationalist movement in the region (Levine, 1914). The strongest Slavic nationalism was found in Serbia, where it had notably grown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Pan-Slavism was tremendously opposed to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its powerful influence and jurisdiction over the region (Levine, 1914). The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was ultimately provoked by this Pan-Slavic nationalism. German nationalism was just as strong, but for different reasons. In 1871, 26 German-speaking states came together to form what is now known as Germany. German nationalism was a very strong bond that these states shared. The German leaders relied on nationalist position to fortify and strengthen the new nation and to gain public support. German culture was promoted and perpetuated. New, power-hungry leaders such as Adolf Hitler, were worshiped and followed blindly.