CAUSES - NATIONALISM
WHAT IS IT? Nationalism is an idea. It can also be described as an emotion that some people experience. In the 1900's, communication for the ordinary person in Europe was limited to what they read and heard in their own country. While some people did travel around Europe, it was the education, culture, language and culture of the country they were born in that shaped most of their identity and understanding of the world. Most were taught in school and by their elders and leaders to have pride in this identity. Many people today, still have pride in their national identity. This is called Patriotism.
However, in the 1900's this patriotism had taken on a much more aggressive nature. There had been a long history of war and conflict between nations, which bred anger, resentment and grudges between large groups of people. For many, this pride soon became Nationalism.
WHY WOULD IT CAUSE PROBLEMS? Nationalism is an extreme form of Patriotism that often results in one group feeling superior and 'better' than another. In a practical sense, Nationalism encouraged people of kill and die to protect the National pride of their country.
WHERE HAD IT BECOME A PROBLEM? In the 1900's Nationalism was a 'bubbling pot' that was threatening to boil over in an area known as 'The Balkans'. Literally meaning 'Mountains' The Balkans was an area of South Eastern Europe that had a rich tradition of culture and language that was unlike anywhere in Europe. The Balkans is now separated into modern day countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Romania. For centuries, the Empires of Russia and Austria Hungary used The Balkans to fight their Middle Eastern enemies The Ottoman Empire.
HOW DID IT CAUSE PROBLEMS? Russia saw the Balkans as an opportunity to take coastal land to launch ships and increase their trade. Austria Hungary had their own specific problems with and emerging Balkan country, Serbia, who had been encouraging other nations within Austria Hungary to rebel against Franz Joseph. Austria Hungary needed to 'silence' the Serbian Nationalist movement if it was to survive into the future. Germany had a financial interest in taking control of the Balkans as they wanted to build a railway from Germany to Iraq, where there were rich oilfields. To do this, Germany need to build the railway right through the middle of the Balkans, which would be a much easier task if it were under German control.
The trouble is, no one ever asked the people of the many Balkan nations what they wanted. A sense of anger was rising in countries like Serbia and Bosnia where the Nationalist call for revolution and war was growing louder and louder.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR TEXTBOOK
Q1. In exactly 10 words, explain Nationalism
Q2. Why would the Balkans be described as a 'bubbling pot?'
Q3. Why do you think Nationalism in the 'Balkan' countries was likely to cause problems?
Q4. Briefly explain the attitudes of the Great Empires towards the Balkans.
Q5. Imagine you are a Nationalist, living in Serbia. Write a short letter to explaining why all Balkan nations should be free.
However, in the 1900's this patriotism had taken on a much more aggressive nature. There had been a long history of war and conflict between nations, which bred anger, resentment and grudges between large groups of people. For many, this pride soon became Nationalism.
WHY WOULD IT CAUSE PROBLEMS? Nationalism is an extreme form of Patriotism that often results in one group feeling superior and 'better' than another. In a practical sense, Nationalism encouraged people of kill and die to protect the National pride of their country.
WHERE HAD IT BECOME A PROBLEM? In the 1900's Nationalism was a 'bubbling pot' that was threatening to boil over in an area known as 'The Balkans'. Literally meaning 'Mountains' The Balkans was an area of South Eastern Europe that had a rich tradition of culture and language that was unlike anywhere in Europe. The Balkans is now separated into modern day countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Romania. For centuries, the Empires of Russia and Austria Hungary used The Balkans to fight their Middle Eastern enemies The Ottoman Empire.
HOW DID IT CAUSE PROBLEMS? Russia saw the Balkans as an opportunity to take coastal land to launch ships and increase their trade. Austria Hungary had their own specific problems with and emerging Balkan country, Serbia, who had been encouraging other nations within Austria Hungary to rebel against Franz Joseph. Austria Hungary needed to 'silence' the Serbian Nationalist movement if it was to survive into the future. Germany had a financial interest in taking control of the Balkans as they wanted to build a railway from Germany to Iraq, where there were rich oilfields. To do this, Germany need to build the railway right through the middle of the Balkans, which would be a much easier task if it were under German control.
The trouble is, no one ever asked the people of the many Balkan nations what they wanted. A sense of anger was rising in countries like Serbia and Bosnia where the Nationalist call for revolution and war was growing louder and louder.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR TEXTBOOK
Q1. In exactly 10 words, explain Nationalism
Q2. Why would the Balkans be described as a 'bubbling pot?'
Q3. Why do you think Nationalism in the 'Balkan' countries was likely to cause problems?
Q4. Briefly explain the attitudes of the Great Empires towards the Balkans.
Q5. Imagine you are a Nationalist, living in Serbia. Write a short letter to explaining why all Balkan nations should be free.
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