... Italy succeeded in its unification in 1861, and Germany did so in 1871(Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, p.401). However, there were still peoples that did not get their national independence and the problem remained unresolved. Panslavism was another nationalistic movement, aiming to assure the cultural and political unity of the Slavs (Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, p.401). Nationalism would become one of the causes of the World War I. Imperialism was another reason for the start of the Great War. Austria-Hungary wanted to expand its territories, south to the Balkans (Duffy). That would not be accepted by Russia, which had interests in the Straits, "through which passed most of her trade with the outer world" (Taylor, p.17). In a war with France (1970-1971) Germany had gained Alsace and Lorraine. France waited for an opportunity to take back its territories (Duffy). The Great Powers quarreled over lands in Africa, where they ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now