WW1

Homework Assessment

  • Students are reminded to bring paper and pen for assessments.

Lecture Overview

  • 7.2 - CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

  • 7.3 - Conducting World War I

  • Window to WWI (PC)

  • Mexican Revolution DBQ Outline Practice (PC)

  • Notes will be checked after lecture work to ensure they are complete and labeled with the day’s topics.

7.2 - Causes of World War I

Long Term Causes (MAIN causes)

  • M - Militarism

    • Definition: The celebration of war and the armed forces.

  • A - Alliances

    • Definition: Groups of countries who agree to take sides in conflicts.

  • I - Imperialism

    • Definition: The need for overseas colonies and more land for expansion.

  • N - Nationalism

    • Definition: A deep pride in one’s country and culture.

  • A - Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    • Description: The event that triggered the war; assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Prince.

Short Term Causes

  • The short-term causes echo the long-term causes, reaffirming the significance of the MAIN framework in understanding WWI's onset.

Detailed Examination of Militarism

  • Definition: The glorification of the military.

  • Cultural Impact: War was seen as a romantic endeavor; the concept of proving one's strength was celebrated.

  • Societal Perspective: Young men aspired to be soldiers, viewing military service as masculine and heroic.

  • Political Environment: Militarism arose from intense European imperialist competition, particularly between Germany and Great Britain, which heavily invested in military capabilities to assert their dominance.

  • Public Sentiment: Men flocked to join the military, fearing they would miss their chance to fight due to a potential end to hostilities.

Technological Developments from the Industrial Revolution

  • Introduction of new weapons shifted warfare dynamics:

    • Tanks

    • Battleships

    • Artillery

    • Airplanes

    • Poison Gas

  • Militaristic Build-Up: Germany notably competed with the UK, especially in battleship construction.

Alliances

  • Secret Alliances: Militarism fostered secret agreements for mutual protection in the event of conflicts.

  • Triple Entente: Comprised of the US, China, Japan, Britain, France, and Russia, perceived as a united front against Germany.

  • Triple Alliance: Included Italy, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers).

  • Italy's Position: Initially neutral, Italy joined the Allies in 1915.

  • Expansion of Scope: By the end of the war, 31 nations were involved, complicating the geopolitical landscape.

Imperialism

  • Colonial Competition: European powers, even post-Berlin Conference (1884-1885), contested over African territories.

  • Contribution from Colonies: Nations recruited troops from colonies, involving peoples from Africa, India, China, Southeast Asia, and more.

  • Rivalries: Britain and France aimed to dismantle German colonial holdings while Japanese interests targeted German colonies in China and the Pacific.

  • U.S. Involvement: U.S. entered war in 1917 due to German submarine threats to American shipping.

Nationalism

  • Definition: A potent undercurrent driving many of the factors leading to WWI, linked to the idea that national pride is equated with power.

  • Zero-Sum Game: Dominance among nations was limited; gains by one nation were viewed as losses for others.

    • Militarism: Fuelled by national pride.

    • Alliances: Formed out of nationalist sentiment and rivalry.

    • Imperialism: National goals of expansion and territorial gain fueled competition.

Prelude to War: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

  • Critical Event: June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a 19-year-old member of the Black Hand, which sought to liberate Bosnia from Austrian rule.

    • Consequence: Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia with demands that were largely unacceptable.

    • Serbian Response: Accepted most demands but proposed negotiation through an international conference, which Austria rejected, leading to war declaration on July 28, 1914.

7.3 - Conducting World War I

Trench Warfare

  • Description: Initial stalemate led to extensive trench digging, resulting in cold, muddy, and rat-infested living conditions for soldiers.

Trench Warfare Layout

  • Different types of trenches included:

    • Front-line trench

    • Support trench

    • Reserve trench

    • Communication trench

New Warfare Technology

  • Poison Gas: Included chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas; noted for creating eerie clouds that swept across battlefields.

  • Other Technologies: Machine guns, submarines, airplanes, and tanks contributed to new military strategies.

Significant Battles

  • Battle of the Somme:

    • Duration: 3 months

    • Casualties: 60,000 deaths on the first day; totaled 420,000 British, 330,000 French, and 550,000 German fatalities.

    • Outcome: No significant territorial changes.

  • Battle of Verdun:

    • Duration: Over a year, infamous for repeated gains and losses over two miles.

    • Casualties: Each side lost approximately 500,000 men with little to no change in the front by war's conclusion.

Concept of Total War

  • Definition: Mobilization of entire national resources for the war effort, prioritizing the military over civilian agendas.

  • Civilian Involvement: Significant populations engaged in war production and support roles, redefining societal norms regarding gender roles in the workforce.

  • Examples: Conscription of military personnel, women in factories, military-themed domestic economies, and dire shortages leading to civilian casualties. 760,000 German civilians died, primarily due to starvation from blockades.

Propaganda and Public Opinion Control

  • Functions of Propaganda: Used to influence public sentiment regarding the war; often disseminated misleading information to gather support.

1917: Russia’s Withdrawal from the War

  • Under Czar Nicholas II, mismanagement led to public discontent and revolution.

  • Bolshevik Revolution: Led by Lenin, promising to withdraw Russia from WWI and subsequently negotiating peace with Germany via the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918.

1917: U.S. Enters War

  • Reasons for U.S. involvement included the need for support from the Allies after Russia's exit due to internal turmoil.

Conclusion of the War

  • End Date: The war concluded with an armistice on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM, marking a significant moment in global history.

Outcomes of WWI

Changes in World Power

  • Deviations in power dynamics as Europe weakened, while the U.S. and Japan grew stronger, altering the global economic landscape.

Nationalism's Role Post-War

  • Emergence of new countries from empires such as Austria-Hungary which became untenable due to its ethno-cultural diversity, leading to nationalism-driven independence movements.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

  • Implications: Officially concluded WWI, illustrating punitive measures against Germany including the imposition of war reparations totaling £6.6 billion (approximately $20 billion).

  • Consequences for Empires: The break-up of empires (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian) resulted in new nation-states based on ethnonationalistic principles.

League of Nations

  • Established primarily due to U.S. President Wilson’s advocacy, but lacked the power to enforce peace, leading many to deem it a failed attempt at collective security.