About

Prosper your nation in a world where only despair remains! Friedrich Nietzsche — "God is dead. And we have killed him." [Imperialism] Details: The expansionist policy of Great Powers seeking to colonize Asia and Africa to secure markets and resources. This colonial competition was one of the primary causes of World War I. Nationalism Details: The ideology that 'one ethnic group should form one nation,' emphasizing absolute loyalty and patriotism toward the state. Extremist nationalism led to the Sarajevo incident, triggering World War I. Militarism Details: An ideology and system that aligns national policy, economy, and society toward strengthening military power and preparing for war. Often involving military regimes or cases where the military holds de facto power, frequently leading to oppression. National Self-Determination Details: The principle that each nation should decide its own political destiny without interference from others. Notably, this was not applied to many colonies. Liberalism & Parliamentarism Details: Ideologies advocating for individual liberty, the rule of law, civil rights, and democratic politics through parliament. Relation to the Great War: During the war, Allied powers like Britain and France defined themselves as 'defenders of freedom' against autocracy. However, this did not apply to their colonies. Socialism & Communism Details: Ideologies that criticize capitalism and advocate for the socialization of the means of production, the liberation of the working class, and the abolition of the wealth gap. In practice, they are often contradictory as total equality is unattainable, and they can lead to inefficient one-man rule. Relation to the Great War: Anti-war sentiment grew among war-weary workers and the public. In Russia, the Bolsheviks led by Lenin succeeded in the 1917 Revolution, establishing the Soviet Union—the first communist state—and withdrawing from the war. Pacifism Details: The belief that war and the use of force cannot be justified for any reason and that conflicts must be resolved peacefully. Relation to the Great War: Many intellectuals, religious figures, and workers turned to pacifism after becoming disillusioned by the unprecedented scale of slaughter and the prolonged nature of the conflict. Monarchy / Absolute Monarchy / Autocracy Details: A system where a king or emperor (monarch) effectively monopolizes the sovereignty and governing power of the state. Relation to the Great War: This system contributed to the rise of socialist and communist movements within the Russian, German, and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Constitutional Monarchy Details: A system where a monarch exists, but their power is limited by a constitution and parliament. Relation to the Great War: Notable examples include the British Empire and the Empire of Japan. In Britain's case, a powerful cabinet-centered wartime governance system was established while maintaining the national constitution. Republic / Democracy / Parliamentarism Details: A system where elected representatives or a president exercise sovereignty and policies are decided through a parliament. Dictatorship / Totalitarianism Details: A system where the state controls all aspects of individual life and power is concentrated in a small group or a single person. Relation to the Great War: World War I evolved into 'Total War,' where all national resources were poured into the conflict. In this process, the authority of parliaments was reduced in both victorious and defeated nations, giving rise to experiences of wartime dictatorship and totalitarian control, such as Ludendorff's military dictatorship in Germany and the exercise of emergency powers by various cabinets.