first world war lecture wh

Horses in War

  • Significant loss of horses during WWI due to poor aiming and targeting.

Assignments Overview

  • Ten photos with explanations required for assignments.

  • Various topics including WWI, Jim Crow, lynching violence, protest anthems.

WWI Context

  • War initially viewed as a show of nationalism, turned into total war involving annihilation strategies.

  • Trench warfare characterized by deep, unsafe dugouts and brutal conditions in no man's land.

  • Historical significance of events, such as the assassination of Franz Ferdinand triggering the war.

Trench Warfare

  • Horrific living conditions: soldiers in trenches, often facing artillery bombardment.

  • No man's land between opposing trenches seen as deadly; some attempts at humane practices during battles.

Total War Concept

  • Total war strategy aimed at complete destruction of the enemy, particularly seen in German tactics.

  • Inclusion of civilian structures as targets, like cathedrals, schools, and hospitals, to demoralize enemy.

Life During WWI

  • Many resources redirected to war efforts, women and children took over work in factories.

  • Early uses of chemical warfare and development of gas masks reflected medical and military advancements.

Russian Revolution

  • Occurred in two parts (February and October revolutions) in 1917, leading to the rise of Lenin and Bolshevik power.

  • Lenin's rapid reforms promised land rights and the end of Russia's involvement in WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

  • Signed in 1919, imposed heavy penalties on Germany including military restrictions and reparations.

  • Seeds for WWII planted in the resentment and economic burden placed on Germany due to the treaty.

Here are the definitions for the terms found in the lecture, based on the provided notes:

  • Total War: A strategy aimed at the complete destruction of the enemy, particularly evident in German tactics. This includes targeting civilian structures like cathedrals, schools, and hospitals to demoralize the enemy.

  • Treaty of Versailles (1919): Signed in 1919, this treaty imposed heavy penalties on Germany, including military restrictions and reparations. The note suggests it planted the seeds for WWII due to the resentment and economic burden it placed on Germany.

  • The “Great War” (WWI): The note describes WWI as a conflict initially viewed as a display of nationalism that evolved into a total war employing annihilation strategies. It was triggered by significant historical events such as the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

  • Nationalism: The note mentions nationalism in the context of WWI, stating that the war was initially viewed as a show of nationalism.

  • Vladimir Lenin: During the Russian Revolution, Lenin rose to power through the Bolsheviks, implementing rapid reforms that promised land rights and an end to Russia's involvement in WWI.