The years of 1914-1918 were a time of mass destruction for the world. The Great War that involved many European countries was one of the most violent and destructive wars in European history. There has never been another was that has attracted the attention of so many historians, journalists, and military authors. Many historians have concluded that there were numerous factors that interacted with each other so that when the Archduke of Austria was assassinated, the conflicts escalated into a Great War.
Nationalism was a primal force that set in train series of event that escalated into a Great War. Historian Farrar explains that Nationalism and the war were confined together like Siamese twins. Nationalism has either intensified or lengthened the "supremely nationalistic war." (113) Germany's nationalistic passion entitled the German Empire to grow and modernize quickly. The growth of Germany altered the delicate balance of power in Western Europe. (Brinton, 284) Realizing that Germany may be too powerful, both France and Britain were committed in restoring the balance of power once again. This forced the two nations to become allies in military and political situations against Germany. The growing sense of Nationalism also led to problems in Eastern Europe. Serbia wanted to bring back all the Serbs that were living in the Austria- Hungary Empire. The Serbian nation wanted sovereignty and this nationalistic movement created tensions between Serbia and the Austria-Hungary Empire. Alert that the Dual-Empire faced destruction, Austrian leaders saw Serbia as a deadly enemy that had to be "erased from the map." (Heyman, 5). Therefore nationalism set the grounds for the succession of climaxing issues that would lead to war.
As nationalism caused restlessness between the growing nations, a diplomatic system assuring national security was in demand. In order for nations to restore the balance of power, political and military alliances had to be made.
