European Tension Builds 1871 – 1914

· Most European countries such as Germany, Russia, Austria and Italy were unstable politically, socially and economically

· Most of these countries were rules by absolute monarchies; meaning that their rulers help supreme power and believed that they were above the rule of law

· These types of rules believed that they governed by divine right – they believed that God wills them to rule

· These rulers came to power through bloodline inheritance of their throne. These kings and emperors rarely used their parliament to debate legislation and this meant that the voice of the people was nit important

· This type of monarch was out of touch with the people because they were more concerned with their extravagant lifestyles and holding on to power at all costs. They helped to create the instability in their country by not paying attention to the concerns and interests of their people

· Throughout history it has been proven that this type of close minded rule has led to both internal and external conflict

· The history of Europe throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries was one of revolution and war

· It was common practice for Royal families in Europe to intermarry with another royal family from neighboring countries

· This was done for several reasons:

1. to keep the royal bloodline pure

2. to keep the peace between each country in hopes if avoiding war

3. to establish better trading relations with that country

· in most cases military alliance were made between each country which meant if one country went to war, other alliance members were hauled into a war they might not want to be in, nor for which they were prepared

Five Royal Families of Europe

1. Romanov – Czar Nicholas II (Russia)

2. Hohenzollern – Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany)

3. Hapsburg – Emperor Franz Josef (Austria)

4. Hanover – King George V (England)

5. Emperor Louis Napoleon (France)

*** only the English monarch was not an absolute ruler, but rather constitutional monarchs***