1. Rise of Nationalism: Nationalism, a belief in the superiority of one's own nation, became increasingly prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nations competed with each other for dominance, leading to tensions and rivalries.
2. Expansion of Empires: European powers expanded their colonial empires, driven by economic and political ambitions. The competition for resources and territories intensified rivalries between nations.
3. Arms Race: With the expansion of empires and rising nationalism, there was an arms race among European powers. Each nation sought to build up its military strength, increasing the risk of conflict.
4. Balkan Tensions: The Balkan region in Southeast Europe was a hotspot of tensions. Nationalistic sentiments led to conflicts between various ethnic groups, and rivalries between Austria-Hungary and Russia for influence in the area.
5. Emergence of Suffragist Movements: The early 20th century saw the growth of women's suffrage movements, calling for voting rights for women. These movements gained momentum in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
6. Socialist and Labor Movements: Socialist and labor movements grew in strength in Europe and beyond. These movements advocated for workers' rights, better wages, and greater political representation for the working class.
7. Pan-Slavism: Pan-Slavism, a movement promoting unity among Slavic peoples, gained influence in the Russian Empire and the Balkans, fueling tensions with other nations.
8. Decline of the Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire, once a powerful global power, was in decline. The loss of territories and internal instability made it vulnerable to external pressure.
9. Emergence of the United States as a Global Power: The United States was rapidly becoming a major economic and political player on the world stage, but it maintained a largely isolationist foreign policy until World War 1.
These political changes and tensions created an environment ripe for conflict, eventually leading to the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914.