Europe in the 19th Century- 3 | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Nationalism
• While peace and harmony characterized much of Europe at the 
beginning of the 1900s, there were less visible—and darker—
forces at work as well.
The Rise of Nationalism:
• By the turn of the 20th century, a fierce rivalry had developed 
among Europe’s Great Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great 
Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. 
• This increasing rivalry among European nations stemmed from 
several sources - competition for materials and markets; 
territorial disputes. 
• E.g. France, for example, had never gotten over the loss of 
Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the 
Balkans, a region in southeast Europe.
• Within the Balkans, the intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, 
Romanians, and other ethnic groups led to demands for 
independence. 
Page 2


Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Nationalism
• While peace and harmony characterized much of Europe at the 
beginning of the 1900s, there were less visible—and darker—
forces at work as well.
The Rise of Nationalism:
• By the turn of the 20th century, a fierce rivalry had developed 
among Europe’s Great Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great 
Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. 
• This increasing rivalry among European nations stemmed from 
several sources - competition for materials and markets; 
territorial disputes. 
• E.g. France, for example, had never gotten over the loss of 
Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the 
Balkans, a region in southeast Europe.
• Within the Balkans, the intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, 
Romanians, and other ethnic groups led to demands for 
independence. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Militarism
• The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army 
prepared for war was known as militarism. 
• Military experts stressed the importance of being able to quickly 
mobilize, or organize and move troops in case of a war. Generals 
in each country developed highly detailed plans for such a 
mobilization. 
• Having a large and strong standing army made citizens feel 
patriotic. However, it also frightened some people.
• Yet another troubling development throughout the early years of 
the 20th century was the rise of a dangerous European arms race. 
• The nations of Europe believed that to be truly great, they 
needed to have a powerful military. 
• By 1914, all the Great Powers except Britain had large standing 
armies. 
Page 3


Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Nationalism
• While peace and harmony characterized much of Europe at the 
beginning of the 1900s, there were less visible—and darker—
forces at work as well.
The Rise of Nationalism:
• By the turn of the 20th century, a fierce rivalry had developed 
among Europe’s Great Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great 
Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. 
• This increasing rivalry among European nations stemmed from 
several sources - competition for materials and markets; 
territorial disputes. 
• E.g. France, for example, had never gotten over the loss of 
Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the 
Balkans, a region in southeast Europe.
• Within the Balkans, the intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, 
Romanians, and other ethnic groups led to demands for 
independence. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Militarism
• The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army 
prepared for war was known as militarism. 
• Military experts stressed the importance of being able to quickly 
mobilize, or organize and move troops in case of a war. Generals 
in each country developed highly detailed plans for such a 
mobilization. 
• Having a large and strong standing army made citizens feel 
patriotic. However, it also frightened some people.
• Yet another troubling development throughout the early years of 
the 20th century was the rise of a dangerous European arms race. 
• The nations of Europe believed that to be truly great, they 
needed to have a powerful military. 
• By 1914, all the Great Powers except Britain had large standing 
armies. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Imperialism
• The quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to 
the brink of war. 
• As European countries continued to compete for overseas 
empires, their sense of rivalry and mistrust of one another 
deepened.
• Great Britain, Germany, and France competed for economic 
expansion in Africa (need for raw materials and foreign markets)
• Britain and France resolved their differences, yet in North Africa 
Germany clashed with Britain and France
• In the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire was appealing to Austria-
Hungary, the Balkans, and Russia
Page 4


Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Nationalism
• While peace and harmony characterized much of Europe at the 
beginning of the 1900s, there were less visible—and darker—
forces at work as well.
The Rise of Nationalism:
• By the turn of the 20th century, a fierce rivalry had developed 
among Europe’s Great Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great 
Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. 
• This increasing rivalry among European nations stemmed from 
several sources - competition for materials and markets; 
territorial disputes. 
• E.g. France, for example, had never gotten over the loss of 
Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the 
Balkans, a region in southeast Europe.
• Within the Balkans, the intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, 
Romanians, and other ethnic groups led to demands for 
independence. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Militarism
• The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army 
prepared for war was known as militarism. 
• Military experts stressed the importance of being able to quickly 
mobilize, or organize and move troops in case of a war. Generals 
in each country developed highly detailed plans for such a 
mobilization. 
• Having a large and strong standing army made citizens feel 
patriotic. However, it also frightened some people.
• Yet another troubling development throughout the early years of 
the 20th century was the rise of a dangerous European arms race. 
• The nations of Europe believed that to be truly great, they 
needed to have a powerful military. 
• By 1914, all the Great Powers except Britain had large standing 
armies. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Imperialism
• The quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to 
the brink of war. 
• As European countries continued to compete for overseas 
empires, their sense of rivalry and mistrust of one another 
deepened.
• Great Britain, Germany, and France competed for economic 
expansion in Africa (need for raw materials and foreign markets)
• Britain and France resolved their differences, yet in North Africa 
Germany clashed with Britain and France
• In the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire was appealing to Austria-
Hungary, the Balkans, and Russia
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Alliances
• Growing rivalries and mutual mistrust had led to the creation of several 
military alliances among the Great Powers as early as the 1870s. This 
alliance system had been designed to keep peace in Europe. But it would 
instead help push the continent into war.
• Between 1864 and 1871, Otto von Bismarck, freely used war to unify 
Germany. After 1871, however, Bismarck declared Germany to be a 
“satisfied power.” He then turned his energies to maintaining peace in 
Europe.
• Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat to peace. He believed that 
France still wanted revenge for its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. 
Bismarck’s first goal, therefore, was to isolate France.
• In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and 
Austria-Hungary. Three years later, Italy joined the two countries, 
forming the Triple Alliance. (In exchange for Italy’s agreement to stay 
neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany 
and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France)
• In 1881, Bismarck took yet another possible ally away from France by 
making a treaty with Russia. (Russia and Austria-Hungary were suspicious 
of each other over Balkan conflicts, but Bismarck signed a Reinsurance 
Treaty with Russia, allowing both to stay neutral if the other was at war)
• Shifting Alliances: In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed dramatically. 
That year, Kaiser Wilhelm II—who two years earlier had become ruler of 
Germany—forced Bismarck to resign.
• The new kaiser was eager to show the world just how mighty Germany 
had become. The army was his greatest pride. “I and the army were born 
for one another,”
Page 5


Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Nationalism
• While peace and harmony characterized much of Europe at the 
beginning of the 1900s, there were less visible—and darker—
forces at work as well.
The Rise of Nationalism:
• By the turn of the 20th century, a fierce rivalry had developed 
among Europe’s Great Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great 
Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. 
• This increasing rivalry among European nations stemmed from 
several sources - competition for materials and markets; 
territorial disputes. 
• E.g. France, for example, had never gotten over the loss of 
Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate in the 
Balkans, a region in southeast Europe.
• Within the Balkans, the intense nationalism of Serbs, Bulgarians, 
Romanians, and other ethnic groups led to demands for 
independence. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Militarism
• The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army 
prepared for war was known as militarism. 
• Military experts stressed the importance of being able to quickly 
mobilize, or organize and move troops in case of a war. Generals 
in each country developed highly detailed plans for such a 
mobilization. 
• Having a large and strong standing army made citizens feel 
patriotic. However, it also frightened some people.
• Yet another troubling development throughout the early years of 
the 20th century was the rise of a dangerous European arms race. 
• The nations of Europe believed that to be truly great, they 
needed to have a powerful military. 
• By 1914, all the Great Powers except Britain had large standing 
armies. 
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Imperialism
• The quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to 
the brink of war. 
• As European countries continued to compete for overseas 
empires, their sense of rivalry and mistrust of one another 
deepened.
• Great Britain, Germany, and France competed for economic 
expansion in Africa (need for raw materials and foreign markets)
• Britain and France resolved their differences, yet in North Africa 
Germany clashed with Britain and France
• In the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire was appealing to Austria-
Hungary, the Balkans, and Russia
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Alliances
• Growing rivalries and mutual mistrust had led to the creation of several 
military alliances among the Great Powers as early as the 1870s. This 
alliance system had been designed to keep peace in Europe. But it would 
instead help push the continent into war.
• Between 1864 and 1871, Otto von Bismarck, freely used war to unify 
Germany. After 1871, however, Bismarck declared Germany to be a 
“satisfied power.” He then turned his energies to maintaining peace in 
Europe.
• Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat to peace. He believed that 
France still wanted revenge for its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. 
Bismarck’s first goal, therefore, was to isolate France.
• In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and 
Austria-Hungary. Three years later, Italy joined the two countries, 
forming the Triple Alliance. (In exchange for Italy’s agreement to stay 
neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany 
and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France)
• In 1881, Bismarck took yet another possible ally away from France by 
making a treaty with Russia. (Russia and Austria-Hungary were suspicious 
of each other over Balkan conflicts, but Bismarck signed a Reinsurance 
Treaty with Russia, allowing both to stay neutral if the other was at war)
• Shifting Alliances: In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed dramatically. 
That year, Kaiser Wilhelm II—who two years earlier had become ruler of 
Germany—forced Bismarck to resign.
• The new kaiser was eager to show the world just how mighty Germany 
had become. The army was his greatest pride. “I and the army were born 
for one another,”
Rising 
Tensions in 
Europe -
Alliances
• Bismarck was fired by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Wilhelm let his nation’s 
treaty with Russia lapse in 1890 (traditional dislike of Slavs kept his 
successors from renewing understanding with Russia ) 
• France took advantage of this and created the Franco-Russian 
Entente, a defensive military alliance, in 1892 and 1894.
• War with either Russia or France would make Germany the enemy of 
both. Germany would then be forced to fight a two-front war, or a 
war on both its eastern and western borders
• Next, Wilhelm began a tremendous shipbuilding program in an effort 
to make the German navy equal to that of the mighty British fleet. 
• Alarmed, Great Britain formed an Entente Cordiale with France. 
• Russia formed Entente with Britain after it became known that 
Wilhelm II supported Austrian ambitions in the Balkans 
• In 1907, Britain made another entente, this time with both France 
and Russia, The Triple Entente.
• By 1907, two rival camps existed in Europe. On one side was the 
Triple Alliance—Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. On the other 
side was the Triple Entente—Great Britain, France, and Russia.