Nationalism and militarism in early 1900s Europe created tensions that led to World War I. Countries took pride in their nations and built up large armies, seeking alliances in case of war. With so many nationalistic, militarized powers in close proximity, conflict was inevitable. When tensions broke into war in 1914, countries activated their alliances and World War I engulfed Europe.

1. Introduction to
World War I

2. Objective
•By the end of the lesson, SWBAT
explain how nationalism and
militarism created an environment
that promoted war in Europe during
the early 1900s.

3. Lightning Round Review!
•1. What happened during Sherman’s
March to the Sea?
•2. How did the Spanish-American War
make America more powerful?

4. Vocabulary
•Nationalism - a feeling of pride and great
likeness for your country.
•Militarism - when a country builds up their
army to protect their land, resources, and
interests.
•Alliance - an agreement between two or more
parties to get along and be on the same side.
•Trench Warfare - When enemies are fighting
each other in permanent places.

6. Nationalism
•In the early 1900s, European
countries started to have a lot of
nationalism.
•The pride in their countries made
them feel as though their country
was better than other countries in
Europe.

7. Examples of
Nationalsim

8. Nationalism
•How do you think nationalism
changes the way you think
about other countries?
•What kind of things do you
think a country that has a lot of
nationalism might say to
another country?

9. Nationalism
•Nationalism can sometimes make
you think you are stronger than
you actually are.
•People feed off each other and
start to believe the hype.

10. What do you think this cartoon
is suggesting?

11. Nationalism?
•What are some different ways people show
nationalism (love) for their country?
•Where do you see nationalism in society?
•Think about where you might have
nationalism in your lives...

12. A Country’s Flag
A Country’s Sport’s Teams
A glorified painting or photograph of the countryside or
country’s leader (this is a picture of Kim Jung - Il, dictator
of North Korea. The painting is trying to make him look
strong in the lovely North Korean countryside)
Propaganda Posters

13. Nationalism in Society
•Songs are also used to create nationalism (love) for
one’s country.
• America the Beautiful:
• O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

14. Nationalism
•Break it down:
•National - a group of people or a
country
•Ism - the act of doing something
•Nationalism - the act of having pride
for your people or country.

15. Militarism
•People in countries that have a lot of
nationalism many times want to
make their countries stronger.
•What are some ways you can make
a country stronger?

16. Militarism
•A country can make themselves
stronger by making their military
(army) larger and stronger.
•Many countries in Europe built
up their armies in the early 1900s
because of strong nationalistic
feelings

17. Militarism

18. Militarism
•How does a strong military
help a country?

19. Militarism
•A strong military helps countries:
•protect their natural resources.
•protect their citizens.
•expand the amount of land
they have.

21. Militarism - in the Early
1900s

22. Militarism
•Break it down:
•Military - means army
•Ism - the act of doing something
•Militarism - the act of building up an
army.

23. World War I
•What happens when a bunch of
countries have a lot of nationalism
and strong militaries in a relatively
small area?
•Think about bullies on the
playground.

24. Europe Before World War
I

25. World War I
•Countries could fight!
•Countries with a lot of nationalism many
times think they are better than other
countries.
•Not only do they think they are better,
but they have weapons so they are not
afraid to fight to help their country or
show the world just how strong they are!

26. Alliances
•Countries wanted to make sure they
had friends to fight with, so,
European countries entered into
alliances in the early 1900s.
•Alliances are when a country tells
another country they will be on the
same side if a war breaks out.

27. Europe in 1900

29. Ready to Fight?
•So...
•European countries in the early 1900s
had a lot of nationalism, had strong
armies, and were in alliances in case a
war broke out.
•What do you think is going to
happen?

30. Conclusion
•Nationalism in Europe in the early 1900s led
countries to militarize (build up their armies).
•Many European countries got into alliances so
that in case a war broke out, they had friends on
their side to fight with in the war.
•By 1910, many countries were on edge and
expecting war at any time!