The Early Years of the 20th Century - 1900- 1906

The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars had spread the concept of democracy throughout most of the European continent, thus spreading the idea that populations sharing an ethnic origin, a language, and the same political ideals had the right to form independent states. However, the principle of national self-determination was totally ignored by the dynastic and reactionary forces that decided the fate of European affairs at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Many of the peoples who wanted their autonomy were subjected to local dynasties or other nations. For example, the German states, integrated into the German Confederation, were divided into numerous duchie, principalities, and kingdoms according to the terms of the Vienna Congress; Italy was also divided into several political units, some of which were under foreign control; and the Flemish and French Belgians of the Austrian Netherlands were subordinated to Dutch rule by decision of Congress

The revolutions and strong nationalist movements of the 19th century succeeded in annulling many of the reactionary impositions agreed upon in Vienna. Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830; the unification of Italy was completed in 1861, and that of Germany in 1871. However, nationalist conflicts remained unresolved in other areas of Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, causing tensions within the regions involved and between various European nations...