How Nationalism Led to WWI Nationalism in Europe How Nationalism Led to WWI

Italy

Congress of Vienna After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna split the Italian states apart under the rule of three different groups Austria France The Hapsburgs Italian Nationalism started spreading in opposition of these changes

Mazzini and Young Italy “Heart of Italy” A popular Italian writer who created a Nationalist group called Young Italy to fight for unification Young Italy attracted tens of thousands of followers to the Italian unification cause

Camillo di Cavour “Brain of Italy” Cavour was one of the most influential leaders during the Italian Unification movement. Believed in a thriving economy Wanted Italy reborn into a Monarchy He became Prime Minister and created a newspaper called Il Risorrgimento to help spread Nationalism and the ideas of unification through out Italy.

Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Red Shirts “Sword of Italy” Joined Mazzini’s Young Italy in 1833 Garibaldi and the Red Shirts (Garibaldi’s followers) used guerrilla warfare to gain control of the city of Lombardy, the island of Sicily, and the city of Naples.

Challenges after Unification Widespread poverty – Unemployment and rising taxes led to poverty which led to many Italians emigrating to the Americas. The Catholic Church didn’t recognize Italy as a nation and Catholics were prohibited from any political participation.

Germany

Steps Towards Unification The Revolution of 1848: Inspired by revolution in France and a desire for a united Germany, the Germans revolted against the Prussian king. The Promise of Reforms: At first, the Prussian King Frederick Wilhelm IV agrees to bring about democratic reforms, but later breaks his promises. The Zollverein: Germans create an economic alliance between the German states, the Zollverein, which promotes trade and a strong economy. German Unification: Otto von Bismarck leads Germany towards unification using his political philosophy of realpolitik, or “the politics of reality.”

Otto Von Bismarck A political conservative who was the leading force behind German Unification His philosophy on government was practical rather than idealistic – Realpolitik Developed policies based on the interests of Prussia Believed unification wouldn’t be won by speeches and majority vote but by “Blood and Iron” – built the Prussian army into a great war machine

Austro-Prussian War Bismarck gave Italy the territory of Venetia in exchange for their support against Austria Bismarck persuaded France to stay neutral if war broke out between the German states Sent troops to the Austrian state of Holstein – Austria declared war King Wilhelm I blamed Austria for starting the war and played up Nationalism to gain support for the war Bismarck’s army beat Austria in 7 weeks They gained the territory of Holstein

Franco-Prussian War War was needed to unite the southern German states in the North German Confederation Prussia was in conflict with France over the territory of Alsace and Lorraine These states supported Prussia and the Northern Germany states Bismarck was victorious versus France and the peace treaty declared Germany unified

How Unification Changed Germany Birth of the Second Reich New government – Federalist form Kulturkampf: “The Struggle for Culture” – Bismarck passed laws limiting the churches power Funds from France after the Franco-Prussian War helped Germany pay for industrialization Created an alliance with Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia

Austria Hungary and the Ottoman empire

Nationalism in Austria Austria-Hungary was made up of many different ethnic groups prior to WWI Croats, Serbs, Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Slovenes, Ukrainians, Germans, Magyars, Romanians, Italians Revolutions in France, Italy, and the German states set off revolutions in the Austrian Empire The different nationalities wanted their independence

Dual Monarchy Dual Monarch – Two nations ruled by one single leader Austria-Hungary was born: Austria and Hungary were two separate, equal states and Franz Joseph I was their leader – Emperor of Austria, and King of Hungary They shared the ministries of war, fiancé, and foreign affairs, but had their own parliaments Advantages – Hungary provided the raw materials and food in exchange for industrial products from Austria Disadvantage – Divisions remained among the various nationality groups The Dual Monarchy only lasted 50 years

The Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire was a centuries old Empire who also controlled many different ethnic groups Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Jews In the early 1800’s it was clear the Ottoman Empire could no longer defend itself against independence movements or external threats Eastern Question – What would happen if the Ottoman Empire collapsed? Most importantly – Constantinople

The Crimean War The Ottomans gave control of the holy places in Palestine to the Roman Catholics Orthodox Christians were denied these rights – Russia invaded the Ottoman Empire Great Britain saw Russia’s move as threatening towards India and allied with France and the Ottoman Empire vs Russia Accomplished nothing – lasted two years and ended in a stalemate with a half a million deaths

The Balkan Wars All of the different ethnic groups in the Balkans wanted their independence Russia was involved – wanted a route to the Mediterranean Great Britain and France were looking out for their own interests, sometimes would side with Russia, other times with the Ottomans Germany and Austria wanted to secure Austrian control over the different ethnic groups Cost the Ottoman Empire almost all of its land in Europe and settled no Balkan issues