World War I

Chapter 13: World War I (Sections 1-4)

Marching Toward War

  • Early 20th century marked by 30 years of peace among European nations.

  • Industrial progress initially created belief that war was a relic of the past.

  • Underlying tensions and problems would lead to the outbreak of World War I.

Causes of World War I

To remember the causes, use the acronym MANIA:

  • Militarism

  • Alliances

  • Nationalism

  • Imperialism

  • Assassination

Militarism

  • Defined as the glorification of military power and preparedness for war.

  • Growing rivalries among nations fostered distrust and the formation of military alliances.

Alliances

  • Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Prussia, used war to unify Germany (1864-1871).

  • Bismarck considered Germany a satisfied power post-1871.

  • He viewed France as the greatest threat and sought to isolate it diplomatically.

    • Triple Alliance: Formed in 1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary, later including Italy in 1881.

    • Treaty with Russia in place to prevent French alliances until Bismarck's dismissal in 1888.

After Bismarck

  • Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign led to increased tensions; he let the treaty with Russia lapse.

  • Initiated a naval buildup, causing Great Britain to form the Triple Entente with France and Russia (1907).

Nationalism

  • Nationalism fosters pride in one's nation; however, it can incite competition and rivalry.

  • Major rivalries existed among Germany, Austria-Hungary, Britain, Russia, Italy, and France.

  • Competition for resources, colonies, and dominance heightened these tensions.

The Balkans Crisis

  • A hotspot for nationalism, particularly with Serbia aiming to expand into the Balkans region.

  • Serbia sought to integrate various Slavic peoples and pressured Austria-Hungary.

  • A-H's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908 aggravated Serbian ambitions.

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

  • On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo.

  • The assassination was politically charged, linked to Serbian nationalism.

Events Leading to War

  • Austria-Hungary issued demands to Serbia, pushing for harsh penalties.

  • Serbia accepted most demands but wanted negotiations. A-H rejected the proposal, leading to war.

  • July 28, 1914: A-H declares war on Serbia, prompting Russia's mobilization.

  • Germany declared war on France; the sequential alliances drew in all major powers.

The Great War Begins

  • A-H and Germany formed the Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later, Italy.

  • The opposing alliance was the Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, and eventually Italy.

  • The war quickly transformed into a stalemate, particularly on the Western Front.

Stalemate and Warfare

  • Initial expectations of a short conflict proved false; prolonged trench warfare dominated the battlefields.

  • Life in trenches was horrific: unsanitary conditions, constant threats, and high casualty rates marked the experience.

New Warfare Technology

  • Introduction of machine guns, tanks, submarines, and poison gas drastically changed combat dynamics.

  • Each new weapon compounded the lethality and horror of WWI.

Eastern Front

  • The Eastern Front demonstrated more fluid movements compared to the stagnant Western Front.

  • Nations involved included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, with severe attrition on all sides.

Global Impact

  • The war's impact was global, affecting colonies and prompting uprisings beyond Europe.

  • The Ottoman Empire faced significant losses during campaigns like Gallipoli, denoting its decline.

America's Entry Into the War

  • Events such as the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmerman Note catalyzed U.S. involvement in April 1917.

  • The U.S. joined the Allied Powers in a decisive shift in the war's momentum.

Total War

  • WWI resulted in a total war environment where resources were mobilized extensively for wartime efforts.

  • Rationing became a norm, and propaganda played a crucial role in maintaining support.

Conclusion of the War

  • The war concluded on November 11, 1918, with the Treaty of Versailles negotiations commencing soon after.

  • The peace process was flawed, leading to feelings of bitterness that set the stage for future conflicts.

  • The League of Nations was established but struggled with implementation and support.

World War I Overview

Causes of World War I (Use acronym: MANIA)

  • Militarism: Countries built strong militaries and weapons, making them trust each other less.

  • Alliances:

    • Otto von Bismarck, the leader of Germany, created the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) to keep France isolated.

    • After Bismarck, Kaiser Wilhelm II let a peace agreement with Russia end, increasing tensions, which led to the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).

  • Nationalism: People felt proud of their nations, which sometimes led to competition and conflict, especially in the Balkans, where Serbia wanted to expand and clashed with Austria-Hungary.

  • Assassination: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was killed on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip from Serbia, escalating tensions into war.

Events Leading to War:

  • Austria-Hungary reacted by declaring war on Serbia after demanding strict penalties, which led to Russia mobilizing its army in Serbia's support.

  • Germany declared war on France, drawing in all major nations due to alliances.

War Alliances:

  • The Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, later Italy.

  • The Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, later Italy.

Stalemate and Warfare:

  • The war was expected to be short, but it turned into long battles in trenches, which were dirty and life-threatening.

  • New weapons like machine guns and poison gas made fighting deadly.

Global Impact:

  • The war affected many nations and colonies around the world. The Ottoman Empire faced serious losses, marking its decline.

U.S. Involvement:

  • U.S. entered the war in April 1917 due to the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmerman Note, which made them join the Allied Powers.

Total War:

  • WWI used a lot of resources, with rationing and propaganda to support the war effort.

Conclusion:

  • The war ended on November 11, 1918, leading to the Treaty of Versailles, which had problems that caused more conflicts later. The League of Nations was created but had difficulties becoming effective.