World War I/Nationalism

Nationalism

Behind most of the events which led to the war lay political rivalries and nationalistic aspirations. It was French nationalism which long to recover Alsace-Lorraine. For the same reason, Russians desired to extend their control south-ward. It was Nationalism against which led to bitter rivalries between Britain and Germany and encouraged them to military and naval competition. For nationalist causes, Bosnia and agitated for union with Serbia. Bulgaria's national pride was hurt at the end of the second Balkan war by the treatment given to her by Roumania, Serbia and Greece. She contemplated vengence. Hence the First World War is rightly called the Third Balkan War.