Introduction
With the bullets of a Serbian rebel, Gavrilo Princip, piercing the chest of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, World War I catapulted into existence. It was in the year 1914 and vibrations of political unrest resonated through Europe. The first half of the twentieth century produced more change, more economic catastrophe, and more bloodshed than any other time prior to it in human history. The conclusion of the conflict saw the breakdown of countries such as Germany and Russia, but also saw the formation of new nations such as Turkey, Poland and Yugoslavia. Truly, the Great War was great, as it heaved through Europe, transforming the landscape and laying a new world in its wake. America too would see her share of the war. Globalization …show more content…
Russia, as an ally of Serbia, began a slow but steady mobilization. Germany, though gaining in economic position, had a numerically small army and knew that Russia, as well as France, would continue to grow in military strength. The Chief of the German General Staff, Helmuth von Moltke, expressed his pessimism towards Germany’s abilities should they allow Russia to continue in their course by telling the German diplomat, Gottlieb von Jagow, that should nothing be done, their enemies would be so strong that “he did not know how we might cope.” An anxious Germany reacted to Russia’s organization by sending an ultimatum on July 31st, to withdraw their movements within twenty-four hours. This was ignored, as was expected, and on August 1st Germany declared war on …show more content…
It becomes more difficult, however, to interpret the ideological causes that resulted in those actions. Nationalism is often held by many scholars as the undercurrent of political moves and national uneasiness that is seen in Europe prior to the beginning of World War I. By definition, nationalism requires a nation’s people to an inflated patriotism that demands loyalty despite what those in authority do. The idea that nations, like Germany, were nationalistic is true. Whether nationalism creates a government to uphold nationalistic ideals, or whether the government creates that atmosphere, is debated. It does appear, however, that nationalism in Germany, for example, was a “patriotism [that] became a ‘sacred duty’.” While in countries such as England, nationalism was not as far on the spectrum as to be considered a “religion,” and therefore allowed for personal autonomy and greater individualistic
With the bullets of a Serbian rebel, Gavrilo Princip, piercing the chest of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, World War I catapulted into existence. It was in the year 1914 and vibrations of political unrest resonated through Europe. The first half of the twentieth century produced more change, more economic catastrophe, and more bloodshed than any other time prior to it in human history. The conclusion of the conflict saw the breakdown of countries such as Germany and Russia, but also saw the formation of new nations such as Turkey, Poland and Yugoslavia. Truly, the Great War was great, as it heaved through Europe, transforming the landscape and laying a new world in its wake. America too would see her share of the war. Globalization …show more content…
Russia, as an ally of Serbia, began a slow but steady mobilization. Germany, though gaining in economic position, had a numerically small army and knew that Russia, as well as France, would continue to grow in military strength. The Chief of the German General Staff, Helmuth von Moltke, expressed his pessimism towards Germany’s abilities should they allow Russia to continue in their course by telling the German diplomat, Gottlieb von Jagow, that should nothing be done, their enemies would be so strong that “he did not know how we might cope.” An anxious Germany reacted to Russia’s organization by sending an ultimatum on July 31st, to withdraw their movements within twenty-four hours. This was ignored, as was expected, and on August 1st Germany declared war on …show more content…
It becomes more difficult, however, to interpret the ideological causes that resulted in those actions. Nationalism is often held by many scholars as the undercurrent of political moves and national uneasiness that is seen in Europe prior to the beginning of World War I. By definition, nationalism requires a nation’s people to an inflated patriotism that demands loyalty despite what those in authority do. The idea that nations, like Germany, were nationalistic is true. Whether nationalism creates a government to uphold nationalistic ideals, or whether the government creates that atmosphere, is debated. It does appear, however, that nationalism in Germany, for example, was a “patriotism [that] became a ‘sacred duty’.” While in countries such as England, nationalism was not as far on the spectrum as to be considered a “religion,” and therefore allowed for personal autonomy and greater individualistic