Unit 9: Collapse of the Center (WWI & WWII)

MAIN Points of WW1

Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.

WW1 Was Also Known As?

The Great War & The War To End All Wars.

Self Determination

Belief that all ethnic groups deserved their own nation. A form of Nationalism that was popular throughout Europe during the 1800s.

Austro-Hungarian Empire

Large empire in central Europe that controlled many different nations that wanted to leave (allied with Germany).

Serbia

Independent country of slavs who wanted self-determination for fellow slavs in Austria-Hungary (hated their neighbors, allied with Russia).

Germany

Supported Austria-Hungary because of shared heritage and language. It was rapidly industrializing and militarizing. Bismarck wanted Germany to have its “Place in the Sun” (Imperialism), they built a modern navy (Militarism).

Late 1800s

Everyone knew a big European conflict was coming. Countries formed military alliances decades before WWI started to make sure they had the best strategic advantage (Militarism).

Triple Alliance (Central Powers)

Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy join together in a defensive pact against Russia/France. Italy left as the war began (joined the other side) and the Ottoman Empire joined as WWI began.

Triple Entente

Later known as The Allies: Britain, France, and Russia/their allies. Italy and Japan joined early in the war and the U.S. joined late.

Schlieffen Plan

German plan to take out France with a “lightning strike” followed by an invasion of Russia. German officers scouted out the terrain years before the war while on “vacation.”

Powder Keg

Analogy used to describe the tense environment of Europe before World War 1.

June 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife are shot and killed by a Serbian nationalist

Germany gave Austria what?

A “blank check” of support against Serbia, which is given support from Russia and France.

August 1914

Mobilized armies start their first armed conflicts. Everyone assumed it would be over very quickly thanks to new military technologies and war records from colonial conflicts.

Fall 1914

Combatants clashed in huge engagements (Battle of the Frontiers) throughout northeastern France using old strategies and tactics (cavalry charges and open-field engagements), casualties were incredibly high, industrialized weapons (machine guns and artillery) made soldiers deadlier.

November 1914

Trenches are dug, mines are placed between them, and barbed wire is strung from Belgium to Switzerland (Western front). Trench warfare became the main combat style in the Western front in WWI.

No Man’s Land

Barren, dangerous landscape between trenches (machine guns, artillery, barbed wire).

“Over the Top”

Term used to describe the order for troops to leave trenches, run across No Man’s Land, and assault enemy trenches (most fail with high casualties).

Life in the Trenches

Trench life was a mix of boredom with terror, waist-deep mud, rats, lice, and corpses. Trench foot was a condition where feet would rot off from being constantly wet.

WWI Technology

Poison gas was used by Germans in 1915 (overcame trenches, killed 800K men), Airplanes were used primarily for reconnaissance purposes (became effective later), Submarines were cheap and effective against surface ships, and Tanks were armored vehicles to cross No Man’s Land (slow, broke down easily, but later the value increased).

Deadliest/Most Effective Weapons

Artillery killed more soldiers than any other weapon, Machine guns exponentially increased the stopping power of single soldiers, Barbed wire was strung across No Man’s Land to slow advancing soldiers/make them easier to hit with artillery and machine guns.

What adaptations were made to make trench warfare less effective?

Creeping barrage created a line of shellfire that moved in front of friendly soldiers/acted as a shield. Tanks became more reliable and commanders figured out ways to use them effectively.

Legacy of WWI Tactics

WWI was the first major industrialized war, the romanticized notions of war quickly evaporated, veterans were traumatized, and medicines increased the survival rates of the wounded.

Reactions to the War

Most countries involved in The Great War had become more urban than rural because of industrialization. People living in rural areas were terrified (wars usually in the country), urban dwellers were thrilled/enthusiastic (escape from boring jobs).

Total War

When a country’s whole population is mobilized for the war effort (not just the military). Government controls the society and economy, blurring the roles between civilians and soldiers.

Civilians

Became almost as important as soldiers, endured many hardships through rationing, blockades, and attacks, teens to 60-year old men were enlisted (conscription) and had to serve until the war ended (PALS). Producing ammunition was the most important job (women).

Propaganda

Was used heavily by both sides to manipulate emotions. They used posters, films, songs, and traveling shows. Patriotism and fear were the most common emotions targeted.

Women’s Work

Their hard work and dedication resulted in them getting to vote after the war was over.

Factory Life

The toxic chemicals used in the explosives turned some women’s skin yellow and their hair green. The working women were nicknamed, “The Canary Girls.”

The “Paris Gun”

Specifically used to target the civilians (not soldiers) of Paris. Its purpose was to terrorize/cow civillians in the hopes that it would negatively impact production/morale.

The End of the War

An armistice was agreed upon on November 11, 1918. Fighting stopped on “The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” A formal peace treaty still needed to be agreed upon.

After the World Wars, how did the global order change?

The most influential region/country moved to the United States. Powerful European nations fought themselves to exhaustion, lost countless resources, and their infrastructure & governments were in distress.

Germany Post World Wars

Divided into two countries (West Germany and East Germany).

West Germany

Rebuilt with democracy and capitalism. Money flowed into West Germany, making the rebuilding process much quicker.

East Germany

Rebuilt under Soviet dominance. The Soviets scoured East Germany for all value and then set up a puppet communist government.

Japan Post World Wars

Occupied solely by the U.S. after the war. Adopted a pacifist, democratic government. U.S. troops were its only defense since its military was eliminated. Money saved by not having a military allowed it to invest in consumer technology. By the early 1980s, Japan had the second largest economy on earth (Japan’s 2nd Economic Miracle).

The United States Post World Wars

Became the most dominant country of the world. #1 economy, military, and influence.

Super Power Nation

A nation that possesses a powerful economy, military, and influence throughout the world. The U.S. and USSR were considered the world’s two superpowers post world wars.

Marshall Plan

Very successful U.S. attempt to rebuild Western European economies using capitalism and cooperation (cost $13 billion). The hope was to keep war-ravaged nations from coming under Soviet influence.

The Soviet Union Post World Wars

Emerged from WWII as a superpower, but was much weaker than the U.S. in many respects.

Negatives of Soviet Union Post World Wars

Staggering amounts of death and destruction happened to the Soviets. Most of their infrastructure was destroyed. Was near total exhaustion. Paranoid of another invasion from Western Europe.

Postivies of Soviet Union Post World Wars

For other countries, Communism became a much more credible option. The USSR was looked up to for leadership and help rebuilding by war-torn countries. The USSR controlled lots of territory won back from Germany in Eastern Europe. They viewed it as a shield against another invasion.

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

Soviet plan to rebuild Eastern Europe. Was a response to the U.S. Marshall Plan. Was largely a failure in Europe. Did provide aid to other nations during the Cold War.

United Nations

Created by both the U.S. and Soviets to maintain world peace and create stability. Meant to stop conflict through discussion and agreement.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (1949)

Military alliance between the U.S. and Western European allies. Meant to protect war-torn nations from possible Soviet Aggression and included a rearmed West Germany. Made to protect member countries from the USSR. The USSR saw its existence as proof of Western Aggression.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Military alliance in Eastern Europe that was the Soviet countermove to NATO.

The Atomic Age

The creation of the atomic bomb led to a new period of science, technology, and paranoia. Made the unstable world even more perilous. Atomic power, medicine, weaponry all became new issues humans across the world had to come to terms with.

September 1949

The Soviet Union developed its own nuclear bomb. Sole U.S. ownership and advantage from the tech evaporated.