Resumen: Al inicio de los años 1900s, Europa estaba llena de conflictos. Los países europeos y Estados Unidos querían expandir sus territorios
en África y en Asia. Esto se conoció como la Era del Imperialismo. Los países europeos también empezaron a conseguir más armas gracias al
militarismo. En esos tiempos, también surgió el nacionalismo que consiste en una adoración inmensa hacia el propio país. Varios pueblos
querían formar su propio país con un solo grupo étnico. Los países europeos empezaron a crear alianzas para defenderse de sus posibles
enemigos. Austria-Hungría, Alemania e Italia formaron la Tripe Alianza; El Reino Unido, Francia y Rusia se unieron en la Triple Entente. Estas
alianzas provocaron la Primera Guerra Mundial.
Age of Imperialism
(Adapted from Discovery Techbook)
1.
At the end of the 1800s and the beginning of 1900s, Europe had a lot of conflicts. In
the 1880s, powerful European countries tried to expand their territories beyond their borders
in other continents such as Africa and Asia. For example, France and the United Kingdom
fought for control of North Africa, and Belgium and Germany wanted to control the Congo in
Central Africa. In this competition to gain control of more land, nations started wars in the
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desire for more territory. These tensions helped start World War I. The growth of imperialism
in Europe was an important cause of the war.
Imperialism
2.
At the end of the 1800s, the United States wanted to extend its influence in Latin
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America and East Asia. Meanwhile , the European countries began to gain control of new lands
in Africa and Asia during the late 1800s, also
known as the Age of Imperialism. These
nations wanted to expand their territories.
These nations also needed financial
resources to support armies and navies.
European leaders wanted the raw materials
and cheap labor available in Africa and Asia. They also wanted to send their
exports to Africa and Asia
European countries began to build more
weapons in the early 1900s
3.
Militarism was another reason
for expansion. European countries
engaged in an arms race, trying to
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develop more powerful weapons and
larger armies than its rivals. The
European colonies sometimes provided
a protective area against enemy nations.
For example, during the 1800s, the
European colonies in Asia
United Kingdom fought Russia for
control of Central Asia to gain a protective zone to prevent Russia’s advances toward the
British colony of India. The colonies also provided European powers with ports around the
world, which could supply their navies with goods, military supplies, and soldiers.
The Rise of Nationalism
4.
Nationalism is a strong feeling of devotion to one’s country of origin. In the 1800s many
Europeans began to think that a country should be made up of only one single ethnic group.
Nationalism can create a spirit of patriotism and an enthusiasm to make sacrifices for others. For
instance, nationalism helped unite Italians to fight for freedom from Austria during the 1860s. Von
Bismarck was able to join the German states into one
nation through encouraging German nationalism during
the 1870s.
A nationalistic cartoon making fun of other
nationalities, especially Serbs.
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Desire: deseo
Meanwhile: mientras tanto
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Weapons: armas
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5.
Nationalist movements also can have negative
consequences, such as the development of an “us vs.
them” mentality. Members of other ethnic groups and
nationalities are considered inferior to one’s own
Thanks to a nationalistic spirit,
Otto von Bismarck was able to
unify Germany,
ethnic group. During the Age of Imperialism, many people living in powerful European nations believed that their nation was
superior to other nations in Europe and the rest of the world. To show their strength, the leaders of these countries thought
they needed to control more territory and raise a stronger military than other countries.
The Balkans region in 1913.
6.
Inspired by a nationalistic spirit, some ethnic groups wanted
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to gain independence. This was the case in the Balkans, a region of
southeastern Europe that is home to different ethnic groups. Groups
like the Serbs, Croats Albanians, Romanians and Turks wanted to have
their own country in this region. In the spring of 1914, nationalist
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struggles in the Balkans would create the spark that ignited World
War I.
Taking Sides
7.
As the countries of Europe expanded their territory, they
began to fear invasion from their neighbors. The European powers did
not want to appear weak and vulnerable. As a result, many nations
formed alliances to protect their borders and colonies from invasion.
Nations that became allies gained security by agreeing to assist one another in case another country attacked one of them.
8.
Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy formed an alliance
against in 1882, named the Triple Alliance. In reaction to the Triple
Alliance, Russia and France agreed to an alliance against Germany.
In 1907, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia formed an alliance
named the Triple Entente to attack Germany if necessary.
9.
These two powerful alliances—the Triple Alliance and
Triple Entente—were intended to prevent war, but they also
divided Europe into two hostile camps. These alliances created a
time bomb in Europe. This political tension made possible the
beginning of World War I.
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5
Gain: ganar, obtener
Spark: chispa