America and the Great War

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America and the Great War Hernando Artista DeVry University HIST 405 Professor Aimee James 29, September 2013

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America and the Great War Nationalism is a desire by a large group of people (such as people who share the same culture, history, language, etc.) to form a separate and independent nation of their own (Nationalism, 2013, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalism). Nationalists are strong supporters of the rights and interests of their own countries. During a tumultuous time in Europe, the strong nationalism of each country would spur actions into effect that would launch one of the greatest wars in history (World War I, 2013, http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm). After the division of Europe by the Congress of Vienna, nationalist ideas led to small struggles over territories such as the Alsace-Lorraine, the reunification of nations such as Italy and the push for freedom from nationalist groups located in the new Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Imperialism is the policy, practice or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; the extension or imposition of power, authority or influence (Imperialism, 2013, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperialism). During the 1900s, Britain had amassed enough territories that its expanse covered five of the seven continents. France controlled the larger areas of Africa. This caused great enmity with Germany as the nation rushed to increase their land holdings as well. Militarism is the belief that the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, force, etc. to gain power and achieve its goals (Militarism, 2013, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarism). As division in Europe spread, an arms

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race began. In Germany and Russia, public policy was greatly influenced by the military....