NATIONAL INTERESTS IN
WORLD WAR I
Social Studies 20-1
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
The Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871
Prussia and France were always hostile with each other, and in
1870 due to a conflict over the Spanish Throne, they went to
war.
France declared war on Prussia and that was their first mistake.
Over 6 months the French were humiliated by the Prussians
(Germans) and were taken to the cleaners.
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
The Results:
The creation of the German State (Nationalism)
Re-payment for the war (5 million Francs).
Lost Alsace and Lorraine.
First step to the tension, how would you feel if you lost, then
were asked to pay for the fight and give up land?
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
The Balkan Powder Keg:
The Great Powers all had a hand in the Balkans. It was an area
located in South Eastern Europe.
Due to treaties and the like, all 7 major powers were aligned in
the area.
There were nations within nations, and it is tough to get all the
powers or people to unite and get along.
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
The Balkan Powder Keg Results:
There was the rise of the Slavic nation.
There was a rise of nationalism within the minorities
There were alliances and agreements made for protection.
In the end, one incident “the assassination” was the starting
point to the war.
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
Tensions in Africa (Scramble and Morocco) and Weltpolitik
Africa was a land that was unchartered until 1880 or so.
The Great Powers of Europe all wanted a part of the action.
Tensions rose as powers raced for land and control.
Also powers began to “gang-up” on smaller powers to take
control of areas.
This upset Germany, a small African player.
Why did nationalism increase
tensions prior to World War I?
Results of the Scramble:
Germany’s Weltpolitik which was a policy to be aggressive to
create an empire in the world like Great Britain or France.
Building arms to rival the other Great Powers.
It also brought France to the British side (first time ever) to
counteract the power of Germany.
Was Nationalism the main
cause of World War I
During the early years of the 20th Century (1900’s), there was a
competition between countries to become the super power of the
world.
Germany’s Weltpolitik idea of building the military to the level
of Great Britain.
Great Powers were annexing territories (irredentism) to make
themselves bigger, but this put them into risk as well.
Imperial aims brought the Great Powers at the edge of war.
Was Nationalism the main
cause of World War I
Nationalism was not the main cause, but can be said that it was
one of the most important factors.
The final straw was the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand
on Austria in Sarajevo (Balkans).
This set into motion the whole peace treaty/alliance system
that brought us into World War I.
Was Nationalism the main
cause of World War I
Italy was part of the alliance with Germany and AustriaHungry, but that the beginning of the war, decided to remain
neutral.
It was because of nationalism and the fact that A-H had control
of Italian areas.
The Italians got a great offer from the British for land if they
won, and they grabbed hold of that.
Was Nationalism the main
cause of World War I
The biggest Free Agent was the United States, but the
Germans did their best to drive them to the British.
Open Sub warfare made the US very angry, especially with
the sinking of the Lusitania.
The Zimmerman telegram from the Germans to the
Mexicans made the American even madder.
The Germans asked the Mexicans to attack the USA to
help with the war effort.
Was Nationalism the main
cause of World War I
When you try to answer the question, think of it this way, go
back to the main idea.
For Italy it was about gaining land in a deal with the British.
For the Germans, it was an attempt to isolate the British and
win the war.
The Americans were defending their nation and those that
were innocent civilians, and the backstabbing of the
Germans.
To what extent did WWI
become a war between nations?
It was hard for the people of any country to head that their
young men were dyeing on the battlefield.
Whether it be through trench warfare, poison gas, targeting
cities, when the news hit home, it affected the people both
positive and negative.
As news of battle came back, it did the same to know that some
10,000 casualties from an attack, Canada was happy to play its
role, but also hurt from the role that we played.
To what extent did WWI
become a war between nations?
As countries won or lost battles, the morale of the population
of the home country went up and down. At the end of the war,
the German population was being starved out with a blockade
of Germany, and the fact that they were on the losing end of
the war.
Also at the end of the was, the leaders of Germany were tired of
losing, and it is rumored that one of its leaders went nuts.
Canada’s Participation in WWI
serve Canadian interests
As the war continued, it was said that the war would be over by
Christmas of 1914, there was a lack of men volunteering for
the army.
Most of the first recruits were recent immigrants from Britain,
and it was found that about 1,000 French-Canadians
volunteered.
The French-Canadians felt no allegiance to either Britain or
France, but loyalty to Canada, which was part of the British
Empire.
Canada’s Participation in WWI
serve Canadian interests
There was a dramatic deterioration of the relations between
the people of Quebec and those in the rest of Canada.
There was an election in 1917 that was slightly stacked to
make conscription pass in the government. (War Time
Election Act)
In reality, people who were conscripted, never went overseas,
but it did impact the French/English relations for years to
come.
Canada’s Participation in WWI
serve Canadian interests
Internment is the re-location of certain groups of people that
might be a risk to the national security of Canada.
Ukrainians who recently moved from the Austrian-Hungarian
Empire were seen as potential enemies for Canada.
These people were just basically moved to areas to help out the
war effort.
Canada’s Participation in WWI
serve Canadian interests
National interests in Canada were served, but whose were
served?
Did Canada do what was right for Canada or to help the cause
of the war?