WW I Introduction Class Review

1. Explain these terms: nationalism, imperialism, militarism.

2. Explain how these terms are connected, i.e. would militarism lead to nationalism, or would nationalism lead to militarism?

3. What is the difference between national competition and imperial competition?

4. Why would industrialization be a major factor leading to both types of competition as mentioned in #3?

5. In terms of power, balance of power represents an important concept. We met this concept before when studying government. In government, a good balance between the executive, legislative, and judiciary powers provides for a good democracy. In terms of Europe in the early 19th century, balance of power was important for England because in her trade with Europe, no country was more powerful than France, and England and France could balance each other out. The unification of Germany with its strong military powers centered in Prussia threw a monkey wrench into the existing power relationship between England and France. Explain.

6. Germany was also vulnerable as it was located in the middle between two friendly powers, Russia and France. In order to eliminate a potential threat from being sandwiched between these two states, a diplomatic tie between Germany and Russia became a necessity. So, what would the logical consequence be?

7. Kaiser Wilhelm II fired Bismarck because the Kaiser wanted to pursue a new policy called "Weltpolitik." What did this mean?

8. What was the result when the Kaiser decided to join into an alliance with Austria-Hungary?

9. Austria-Hungary was a construct of many nations with as many languages and cultures, each striving for ethnic independence. In such a climate of separation, national tensions ran high. Why would a stronger feeling of independence by a small country as Serbia be considered a warning sign by Austria-Hungary?

10. Describe the political interests by Russia, Germany, France, and England.

11. Since Karl Marx published his book The Communist Manifesto, workers in factories across Europe considered themselves an important social force. How did industrialists turn them into pawns for their own purpose instead of allowing them to succeed in Marx's predicted social revolution at a global scale?