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Chapter Six: A Cellular Pathogens (Video)

1. Introduction to World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that primarily took place in Europe from 1914 to 1918. It involved the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) against the Allies (primarily France, the British Empire, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States). It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, leading to significant political, social, and economic changes globally.

2. Major Causes of World War I (M.A.I.N.)

Several underlying factors contributed to the outbreak of the war:

  1. Militarism

    • An arms race, particularly between Germany and Britain (naval expansion), led to increased military spending and technological advancements.

    • The belief that a strong military was essential for national interest and prestige.

    • Development of detailed war plans (e.g., Germany's Schlieffen Plan) contributed to a readiness for conflict.

  2. Alliances

    • A complex web of defensive alliances created a domino effect, pulling multiple countries into conflict even for localized disputes.

    • Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (though Italy later joined the Allies).

    • Triple Entente (Allies): France, Britain, Russia.

  3. Imperialism

    • Competition among European powers for colonies and resources, especially in Africa and Asia, led to increased tensions and rivalries.

    • For example, the Moroccan Crises (1905, 1911) fueled Anglo-German and Franco-German antagonism.

  4. Nationalism

    • Intense patriotism and the desire for self-determination among ethnic groups, particularly in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Balkans.

    • Pan-Slavism in the Balkans, supported by Russia, challenged Austro-Hungarian control.

    • Alsace-Lorraine dispute between France and Germany.

3. Immediate Spark: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

  • On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist associated with the Black Hand.

  • Austria-Hungary, with German support, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which was largely rejected.

  • On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering the alliance system.

    • Russia mobilized to support Serbia.

    • Germany declared war on Russia and then France.

    • Britain declared war on Germany after Germany invaded neutral Belgium to attack France (Schlieffen Plan).

4. Key Characteristics of Warfare

  • Trench Warfare: Dominant on the Western Front, characterized by static lines, dug-in positions, and high casualties for minimal territorial gains.

  • New Technologies: Machine guns, artillery, chemical weapons (mustard gas, chlorine gas), tanks, aircraft, and submarines (U-boats) transformed the nature of warfare.

  • Total War: Mobilization of entire societies for the war effort, including rationing, conscription, and propaganda.

5. Major Effects and Aftermath

  1. Treaty of Versailles (1919): Imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, heavy reparations (132 ext{ billion} gold marks, equivalent to roughly 500 ext{ billion} today), and the "war guilt clause" (Article 231).

  2. League of Nations: Created to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars, though it ultimately failed due to lack of enforcement power and U.S. non-membership.

  3. Geopolitical Changes:

    • Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian, and German Empires.

    • Creation of new nations (e.g., Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).

    • Decline of European dominance and the rise of the United States as a global power.

  4. Economic Impact: W