[kathy's]

hi there!!!! good morning How are you guys? Sorry to bother you but I have a question….. how did nationalism contributed to tensions in Europe?
Thanks for all your help

[Mrs Faithorn]

I'm fine thanks.

I assume you are referring to Europe between the two world wars (ie 1919 - 1939)?

If that is so, then you mainly need to consider the following:

• The agressive nationalism of Mussolini (Italy) and the way in which his actions undermined the principles of the League of Nations (eg the attack on Corfu in 1923) by using force to achieve what he wanted rather than diplomacy and discussion.
  
• The aggressive nationalism of Hitler and the actions he took in Europe during the period 1935 - 1939 which led to the outbreak of war in Europe with the invasion of Poland in 1939.

I have no idea of the depth in which you are studying this topic, but in addition to the above you might also consider:

• The nationalism of Turkey under Ataturk and his refusal to accept the terms of the Treaty of Sevres imposed on Turkey after WWI. This challenged the authority of the Allies (especially Britain and France), led to a war in which Greeks were forced out of Turkish lands and resulted in a new Treaty of Lausanne all of which created tension very shortly after the end of WWI.
  
• The nationalism of the Poles in the years immediately after WWI and their seizure of land from Russia in the war of 1920-'21 and from Lithuania in 1920. This also created tension.
  
• The Czechs and Poles also disputed ownership of a town called Teschen.

Nationalism thus contributed to tension in Europe because the desire to have all peoples of one particular 'nation' living inside the borders of one country led to the seizure of territory and to small-scale wars. Since this was all very soon after the foundation of the League of Nations (in 1920) and the end of the horrors of WWI it inevitably created tensions.

Is that all clear to you?

If you need information about the things I have referred to then see:
http://www.historyle...ueofnations.htm
http://www.johndclar...of_nations4.htm
http://www.johndclar...RoadtoWWII3.htm

[kathy's]

thanks