Nationalism, Imperialism, and World War I

1. Nationalism, Imperialism, and World War I Nationalism

2. The Congress of Vienna After the defeat of Napoleon, the chief European rulers met at the Congress of Vienna to redraw the boundaries of Europe. The allies sought to establish a balance of power—a system in which no single power like France could become so powerful that it could threaten to dominate the other countries in the system.

4. The Congress of Vienna The Congress also dealt with issues such as abolishing the slave trade and the rights of German Jews.

5. The Spirit of Nationalism Nationalism is the belief that each nationality (ethnic group) is entitled to its own government and national homeland. The Congress of Vienna failed to take into account the desire of many people to control their own governments, instead favoring legitimacy—maintaining traditional rulers.

6. The Metternich Era Prince Klemens von Metternich of Austria was instrumental in establishing a system that prevented attempts at nationalism or political change in Europe. 30 years after the Congress of Vienna, Italy, Germany and Poland had unsuccessful revolutions where national groups sought their independence but were defeated by armies of Austria or Russia. Greece and Belgium both achieved their independence.

7. Notebook Assignment “1815 is the one and only time in European history when statesmen sat down to construct a peaceful international system after a great war and succeeded. This astonishing accomplishment in international politics made possible much of the change and progress in 19th Century European society.” –Paul Schroeder, The Transformation of European Politics “[T]here was certainly no lack of awareness of the strength of national feeling in Germany, Poland, and Italy, and by failing to take it into account in their arrangements the architects of the settlement defeated their won purpose and sowed the seeds of untold problems in the future.”—Adam Zamoyski, The Rites of Peace: The Fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna

8. Notebook Assignment cont. With which of these statements about the Congress of Vienna would you most agree? Explain your answer.