Background to WWI Militarism & Nationalism

Formation of nation-states Independent German states unite into a single country – Germany (1871) Germany now sees itself as equal to France, Great Britain Italian states slowly unite into a single country – Italy ( ) Italy now wants to see itself equal to other European powers

Imperialism & Industrialization Rapid industrialization – 1850s onward Competition to improve economies Competition for resources Berlin Conference on Africa –

Rise of nationalism Nationalistic fever takes hold in European countries Rotary press allows mass circulation newspapers for the first time Sensationalism in the press In London, music hall songs promote jingoism – a kind of aggressive nationalism

Naval rivalry German expands navy to protect its colonies Strong naval power = economic success Germany aggressively expands its navy in – Germany doubled the number of battleships and destroyers to be built

Dreadnought ships

Royal Navy of Britain Britain responds to Germany– builds a new class of powerful battleship Dreadnought class (ie “fear nothing”) This sparks more building of ships by Germany

Public sentiment backs military The expanding military fuels public sentiment and rivalry between Britain and Germany Joining the military seen as patriotic, honorable and exciting

Read pp Which countries were in the Triple Alliance? Which countries were in the Triple Entente? Which countries became the Central Powers? What is militarism? Why were the French upset about Alsace & Lorraine? What is Pan-Slavism? What were the Balkan conflicts about?

Design a propaganda poster