Faliure of Weimar Republic
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In 1914, the First World War broke out. It is an industrial war and a total war. The Sarajevo Assassination has triggered off the war as Austria-Hungary use it as a war excuse to declare war on Serbia. To a large extent I think that extreme nationalism is the most significant factor in leading the outbreak of the First World War.
“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind”. This was said by Albert Einstein. Nationalism is the desire of people of the same race and culture to govern themselves and to keep their own way of life. In the Early 19th century, It started common belief of peoples right with liberalism. However, since 1871, nationalism became extreme and curious. People believed that their country was always right and superior to other country. They aimed to promote the national glory of their country by weakening the others. This resulted in many conflicts.
Firstly, for the independence movement of the Balkan states, they aimed to get free from foreign rule and thus the Eastern Question emerged. Eastern Question means a series of problems happened in the Balkans. It had a nasty long term effect on international relationship. It was true to say that it caused by the rise of Balkan nationalism. Powers would not give way because Balkan is strategically important and most importantly, for the sake for promoting national glory.
Secondly, for the Pan-German Movement, Germany wanted to build a big German empire. She wanted to expand into the Balkans and West Asia. This alarmed the powers like Britain and Russia and increased the tension between the powers.
Thirdly, for the Pan-Slav Movement, Russia wanted to unite all Slavs into a big Slav state under Russian leadership. This complicated the Eastern Questions and had conflicts with Austria-Hungary.
Fourthly, for the Greater Serbia Movement, Serbia wanted to expand Serbia and unite her with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. This worsened the Austro-Serbian relationship and brought two Balkan Wars which increased Austro-Serbian hostilities. Plus, the wars made Austria-Hungary became more determined to crush Serbia. The crisis made Europe nearer to the First World War. The movement also brought the Sarajevo Assassination. As mentioned before, it triggered off the war. As the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated by Princip, the member of Black Hand. This let Austria-Hungary had the excuse to attack Serbia. Finally, the war started.
Fifthly, For the Revenge Movement led by France, she wanted to take revenge on Germany owing to her lost of Alsace-Lorraine and the humiliation suffered from the Franco-Prussian War and this caused the formation of alliance system. Bismarck started the alliance system to isolate France and avoid a two-front war against Germany. Therefore, The Three Emperors League was formed by Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. But finally, the Three Emperors League broke up. In the First World War, The two rival alliances was Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. They agreed to assist each other if they were attacked by another powers. But this didnt contribute a lot to the First World War, it only increased the mutual suspicion and distrust between the powers. Besides, powers formed the alliances for self-protection. Therefore, compared with extreme nationalism, it is not a significant factor.
Sixthly, for the expansion, Germany, France, Britain and Russia both wanted to get national glory by building