Modernity and the Road to War

1890–1914

As the twentieth century dawned, Europeans had cause for both elation and fear. On the one hand, many enjoyed unprecedented prosperity: Europe’s industrial and technological forces continued to grow, and European nations controlled most of the world’s surface. On the other, domestic and international tensions abounded: at home, people struggled to navigate the hazards of modern life, while abroad nation-states faced mounting competition and dissent in their quest for imperial glory. The first five documents illustrate the disorder and chaos that seemed to lurk around every corner—in the family, in mass politics, even in one’s own dreams and sexuality. At the same time, the foundations of nationalism had changed as European powers jockeyed for position both within Europe and beyond. For many citizens, pride in their nation rested not in its democratic institutions but in its military might. The final document set reveals just how pervasive a pro-war spirit was at the time, setting the stage for a war of unprecedented destruction, World War I.