Pan-Slavism and Pan-Germanism

These terms refer to language-related nationalism. Most Serbs dreamed of a large state based in the Balkans that included all peoples who spoke Slavic languages. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians were allies for a similar reason- Pan-Germanism. They both spoke German, and therefore felt an obligation to one another. Russia allied with the Serbs for the same reason. Were it not for Pan-German and Slav-ism, the Great Powers may never have become involved in the Third Balkan War (WWI).

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