In the context of the years 85-94, how far was nationalism the most important cause of the Great War?
Nationalism was a significant long-term cause of the Great War, from 85 through to the start of the war in 94, this overconfidence in their nation, government, and military became a prominent part of all societies in each country. For some this patriotism was a new sensation, for others, it was about the supremacy of their empire or, like for the Slavics in the Balkans, it was the unification and stride of ethnic groups to independence. However increasingly throughout the period naval rivalry between Britain and Germany emerged and an ever-intensifying armaments race involving all powers whereby every European country mistrusted its fellows thus accumulating stocks of munitions and weapons and not agreeing on peace or disarmament. In addition, the formation of two hostile alliances, the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, allowed the nations to fight and challenge each other as they knew they could rely on their friends for help, and support and use each otherΒs resources and power
. Although this evidently meant that a dispute involving one of them would involve all of them. It cannot be forgotten that Imperialism was also a significant long-term factor as an important cause of the War. The Powers all had a desire to conquer the other lands and build an empire causing conflict between the nations. The events of Morocco caused much dispute between France and Germany and what had begun as a dispute in the Balkans over conflicting interests between Russia and Austria one country after another became involved until it became a general war. Arguably Germany and their actions were at the heart of the Great War, although non of the great powers can escape the blame. GermanyΒs constant concern about her own prestige and power was significant in the lead-up to the war, her severe pressure on Austria to act quickly in response to the Assassination and to make the ultimatum so strong as to be unacceptable by Serbia is notable. But the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 94 was a critical tipping point that sparked the chain of events leading to the Great War.