World War I

Causes of World War I (MAIN)

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

Who assassinated Archduke France Ferdinand?

The Serbs

Why did Archduke France Ferdinand’s assassination set of the spark for WWI?

It incites/tips over the imperial rivalry between countries in Europe (starting with Austria-Hungary and later pulling in others)

Schlieffen Plan

Germany’s first strategy for attack that drags Britain into the war after they have to march through neutral Belgium

Who deals with the first attack in WWI?

France, from Germany

Triple Entente Alliance (Allies)

Britain

France

Russia

+Japan

+US

+Itlay

Triple Alliance - Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria

How did people’s impressions the war differ from reality

It was a lot more gruesome than people thought and lasted 4 years, because of new technology changing warfare forever.

Main type of warfare in WWI and what it caused

Trench warfare, caused death, disease, and met with mud and rats

examples of new tech in WWI

Poison gas, armored tanks, machine guns, airplanes, submarines, zepplins (gas filled balloons)

How do colonies participate?

Provide money & resources, staging posts, provide soldiers & other personnel, construction

impact of colonies in WW1

start to get a sense of independence and self-worth, have less respect for European leaders after they see Europe, learn military skills, and expect better treatment

Total war

Channeling of a nation’s entire resources into the war effort (socialism —> tight gov control, using propaganda to control public opinion)

The new roles of women

Take their husbands jobs in factories and transportation, some serve as nurses and doctors at the war front

post-war changes for women

lose jobs but gain suffrage and a spirit of confidence, independence, and respect

morale at the end of the war…

declines — there are famines, stalemates, bankruptcy

How does Russia back out?

1918: Lenin signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending Russian participation

When does the U.S join?

1918 with 2 million fresh troops

when Germany signs armistice (truce)

• • People revolt

  • Kaiser steps down

  • Beginning of the Dolchstosslegende (anti-semitic ideas)

a few costs of war

9 million+ deaths

18 million+ injured

bitterness and dissallusionment

famine

political turmoil and collapse

the big 3 in the paris peace conference

wilson (US), george (GB), clemenceau (france)

What did the U.S want in the paris peace conference?

lasting peace and trade (wilson sets up league of nations, eventually united nations) so the most chill

What did Britain want?

Punish Germany (medium)

What did France want?

a buffer state in between them, Germany have permanent demilitarization and reparations) so the MOST harsh. Although agrees to soften these conditions if in alliance w/ U.S and GB, but this never happens

Conditions in the Treaty of Versailles

Germany’s colonies given away to the winning nations

Some land ceded to France and newly created nations

Demilitarization

Reparations

War Guilt Clause

Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles

Germany reluctantly accepts, the U.S withdraws in fear of giving away power and turns it back on Europe, and the whole treaty is resented by Italy, Japan, and Russia, who thought this would not create lasting peace (and no surprise, it doesn't lol)