Road to World War I and the Treaty of Versailles

Lead up to WWI

• WWI's Precursors:
  • Nationalism: Strong nationalistic sentiments grew in Europe during the 1800s, escalating the chances of war.
  • Imperialism: Competition among European nations to expand their empires heightened tensions.
  • Militarism: Nations became militaristic, where the military dominated the economy, culture, & politics. This was a consequence of the need to be imperialistic.
  • Arms Race: European powers engaged in an unprecedented build-up of weapons.

Second Industrial Revolution

• Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914):
  • Mirrored the first with urbanization, pollution, and economic changes.
  • Focused on steel, electricity, and chemicals.
  • Steel production advancements led to skyscrapers, larger cities, & stronger weapons.
  • Desire for markets & resources fueled imperialism, competition, & animosity.

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

• Decline of the Ottoman Empire:
  • The Ottoman Empire's decline created a power vacuum.
  • European nations sought to capitalize on the empire's crumbling territories.
  • The crumbling of the Ottoman Empire was one of the more direct causes of WW1

Military Alliances

• Military alliances:
  • Formed due to imperialism, militarism, the Industrial Revolution, & competition for land and resources.
  • Meant to be defensive but divided Europe further.
  • Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Italy, Austria.
  • Triple Entente (1907): Britain, France, Russia.

Austria and Serbia

• Austria and Serbia:
  • Austria's attempts to subordinate Serbia.
  • Russia intervened on behalf of Serbia.
  • Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia on June 28, 1914, by Serbian Nationalist Gavrilo Princep.
  • The Black Hand: Serbian Nationalist organization.

Escalation to War

• Escalation to War:
  • Austria sought help from Germany, who promised support due to their alliance.
  • Italy declined to help Austria, deeming the assassination not a military attack.
  • Serbia requested help from Russia, who in turn sought support from England and France.
  • By August 2, 1914, major states had declared war.
  • Over 30 nations eventually became involved.
  • Central Powers: Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, & the remains of the Ottoman Empire.
  • Allied Powers: England, France, Russia (until 1917), the US, Italy, & nearly 30 other nations.

World War 1 – 1914-1918

• World War I (1914-1918):
  • Global impact due to imperialism & industrialization.
  • Countries worldwide had military, political, & cultural interests in the war's outcome.

Changes WWI Brought

• Changes brought by WWI:
  • Chemical warfare emerged due to advancements in chemistry.
  • Aerial warfare: Planes dropped bombs.
  • Advancements in steel: Stronger weapons and tanks.

Trench Warfare

• Trench warfare:
  • Elaborate trench systems led to prolonged battles and stalemates.
  • Spread of disease & constant danger.
  • Extremely destructive war with massive casualties.

More Join

• Italy joined the Allied Powers in 1915 after being promised land from the Ottoman Empire.
• US involvement:
  • The US joined in April 1917, primarily due to disruptions in trade.
    Trade Disruptions and US Involvement
• Britain was the US's main trading partner.
• Germany blockaded British ports, attacking enemy ships.
• Initially, US ships sailed under the neutral flag.
• Britain then flew the US flag on their ships, leading Germany to attack all ships.
• The US entered the war to restore undisturbed trade.

Russia is Out

• Russia's exit:
  • Bolshevik Revolution in 1917: Socialists overthrew the government.
  • Socialist philosophy opposed the war as benefiting the rich.

WWI Death Toll

• WWI Casualties:
  • Germany: 1.9 million.
  • Russia: 1.7 million.
  • France: 1.4 million.
  • Austria: 1.2 million.
  • Britain: 900,000.
  • Ottoman Empire: 700,000.
  • Italy: 600,000.
  • US: 100,000.
  • The war ended in November 1918.
  • Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, & the Ottoman Empire lost.

Treaty of Versailles

• Treaty of Versailles:
  • Written by the "Big 4": Britain, France, Italy, & the US.
  • Britain, France, & Italy aimed to punish Germany, while the US sought to prevent future wars.

League of Nations

• League of Nations:
  • Created by President Woodrow Wilson to prevent war.
  • Precursor to the United Nations, advocating arbitration.
  • The US never signed the treaty due to fears of losing control over foreign policy.

Treaty of Versailles Repercussions

• Germany's punishment:
  • Forced to accept blame & pay 35 billion in reparations.
  • Military restrictions: No air force, a reduced navy (six ships), & a small army (100,000).
  • Loss of land to France.
  • The map of Europe was redrawn.
  • Germans were shocked because their government had been lying.

Redrawn Map

• New boundaries:
  • New countries created: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, & Poland from parts of Germany & Russia.
  • Hungary was created, & Austria was reduced in size.
  • Czechoslovakia was formed from Germany & Austria.
  • Romania gained parts of Austria, & Yugoslavia was created.

Results of War and Treaty

• Consequences:
  • Continued fighting in Poland, Russia, Greece, & Turkey.
  • Russia became Communist, & Turkey was established.
  • Nationalist movements led to more revolutions & discord.
  • Boundaries were drawn without regard for cultural considerations.
    Czechoslovakia Example* Czechoslovakia: Czechs & Slovaks were forced together.
  • Led to internal conflict.
  • A significant factor in starting WWII.

The Rise of Nationalistic, Totalitarian governments

• Rise of Totalitarianism:
  • Europe was devastated, leading to anger & a search for scapegoats.
  • Rise in dictatorships & a decline in democracies.
  • Democracy was relatively new, & many states were only partially democratic.
  • Equality not extended to women, ethnic minorities, & religious minorities.

Dictatorships and Nationalism

• Dictatorships and Nationalism:
  • Dictatorships are often nationalistic & blame minority groups for problems.
  • This phenomenon is exemplified by Hitler's regime.

The Economy Tanked

• Economic Crisis:
  • European economy faltered in the 1920s due to war.
  • Germany faced additional issues:
    Germany's Economic Woes
• Destruction from the war: Need to rebuild infrastructure.
• Drop in foreign trade: Limited goods available for export.
• Decreased income tax revenue: High unemployment.
• Reparations burden: Difficult to repay due to low revenue.

German Economy Cont.

German Economic Policies

• Hyperinflation: Printing more money led to devaluation.
• Million Mark bills were needed to buy basic goods.
• Money was used as fuel due to its worthlessness.
• Start of the Great Depression (October 29, 1929): Stock market crash in the US spread globally.
• These conditions paved the way for Hitler's totalitarian regime.