Though nationalistic beliefs cannot be held solely accountable for the war it still played a large part in causing WW1. Nationalism is a strong feeling of support for ones nation, best expressed in the concept of patriotism. Nationalists believed that "the needs of their nations were more important than the needs of other nations. Nationalists were so proud of their country that they wanted to be the richest and most important country - and recognized as such". Nationalism often created tension among the nations of Europe. For example, at the settlement of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the principle of nationalism was ignored in favour of preserving the peace. Germany and Italy were left as divided states, but, subsequently, strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and that of Germany in 1871. Similarly, as a result of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, France was left seething over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and revenge became a major goal of the French.
Though nationalistic beliefs cannot be held solely accountable for the war it still played a large part in causing WW1. Nationalism is a strong feeling of support for ones nation, best expressed in the concept of patriotism. Nationalists believed that "the needs of their nations were more important than the needs of other nations. Nationalists were so proud of their country that they wanted to be the richest and most important country - and recognized as such". Nationalism often created tension among the nations of Europe. For example, at the settlement of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the principle of nationalism was ignored in favour of preserving the peace. Germany and Italy were left as divided states, but, subsequently, strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and that of Germany in 1871. Similarly, as a result of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, France was left seething over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and revenge became a major goal of the French.