**Ever since the period of nationalism, countries in Europe had felt a very strong sense of who they were as nations. They were proud of their heritages just like they were proud of their religions, and many thought they were superior to others because of this. These ethnicities and religions also brought countries that shared these characteristic together, forming alliances. With these prejudices against other ethnicities, nationalities, and religions came much tension. With every country striving for superiority, war was almost inevitable. Though the Black Hand murdering Franz Ferdinand is considered the thing that began WWI, that was only the spark to start the fire. The kindling that had been building up over the years was really these prejudices. The alliances between all the countries that fought in WWI were built previously based on ethnicity and religion, and these alliances were why the war happened as it did.
**One of the two big alliances that was formed was the Triple Alliance. This alliance was between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy. Austria first formed the alliance with Germany, based on ethnic similarities between the two. It states in the Dual Alliance Between Austria-Hungary and Germany, "Should one of the High Contracting Parties be attacked by another Power, the other High Contracting Party binds itself hereby, not only not to support the aggressor against its high Ally, but to observe at least a benevolent neutral attitude towards its fellow Contracting Party" (doc. 1). This states almost exactly what would happen during WWI; "Austria-Hungary consequently considers herself henceforward in state of war with Serbia"(doc. 7), officially starting WWI by declaring war on Serbia, and Germany would be required to come to their aid to overcome the opposing party. This alliance formed because of ethnic similarities would be a deciding factor in the way the war would play out. This effect can be seen to its greatest extent in a telegraph between ruler of Germany William II and tsar of Russia Nicholas II. In their conversation, William II signs his message "You most sincere and devoted friend and cousin" (doc. 8). In response, Nicholas II begs, "I urge You in the name of our old friendship to do all in Your power to restrain Your ally [Austria-Hungary] from going too far" (doc. 8). But despite this plea and because of the alliance between Germany and Austria, Germany still must do all in its power to assist its ally. In Germany's declaration of war against Russia, this is addressed: "In compliance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg; but Russia, without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilization of her forces both on land and sea" (doc. 9). The Germans, though, wanted to seem like they had a true cause for war, so they tried to appear to have as peaceful intentions as possible, though this might not be completely true.
**Pan-Slavism, a movement in the mid-1800s, would also have a big effect on the war. This movement was an attempt to unite all the Slavic ethnicities, such as the Serbs, Croats, and Slavs with the Austro-Hungarians. Though this did not fully work out in the case of Austria-Hungary, the smaller Balkan nations were still united. Serbia, Romania, and their neighbors all banded together because of their shared Slavic roots. In Serbia, this sense of teogetherness was especially strong, and they strove to ostracize anyone who was not Slavic. The by-laws of the organization of the Black Hand states, "Beyond the frontiers of Serbia, fight with all means the enemies of the Serbian national idea" (doc. 6) They were prepared to defend themselves and their fellow Slavs at any cost, and so when war broke out, the South-Slavic countries were quick to band together against Austria-Hungary.
**Similar characteristics not only brought countries together, but they also pitted nations against one another. Howard Stewart Chamberlain writes, "Certain anthropologists would fain teach us that all races are equally gifted; we point to history and answer: that is a lie!" (doc. 3). Presumably German, Chamberlain, as many other Germans of that time, believed his race above all others. This superiority complex led Germans to even despise other nations who also thought they were the best nation. Eyre Crowe also discusses how the Germans feel about themselves in saying, "And as it is an axiom of her political faith that right, in order that it may prevail, must be backed by force, the transition is easy to the belief that the "good German sword," which plays so large a part in patriotic speech, is there to solve any difficulties that may be in the way of establishing the reign of those ideals in a Germanized world" (doc. 4). Germans believed that they themselves could overcome any sort of problem that was to arise in the world, they were smart enough, and were generally superior to everyone.
**Through the entire time before the First World War, tensions among all the countries of Europe had been brewing. These tensions turned into bitter disputes and arguments, while similar characteristics between countries turned into alliances. These alliances were what determined the outcome of WWI, and what actually allowed the war itself to happen and become as large as it did.
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