Question

How was nationalism a cause of the First World War?

Answer 1

Nationalism took two diverse forms during the century before the Fist World War. On one hand it meant strong desire for national unity and independence. Such desire resulted in the unification of Germany and Italy. It also resulted in the revolt of the Balkan Peninsula against their Turkish ruler, which intensified the Eastern Question. On the other hand, it took the form of extreme nationalism, more particularly in the case of the newly united nations. They wanted to expand their national glory and prestige at any cost. Both the forms of nationalism intensified the international rivalries, which complicated the situation in Europe and led to the outbreak of the Fist World War.