League of Nations

• Established on January 10, 1920.

• Created by Woodrow Wilson to promote open diplomacy and self-determination.

• Aimed for world peace and cooperation between nations.

Causes of World War I

• Militarism: Nations building up military strength without major conflicts between 1871-1914, preparing for war.

• Nationalism: Intense pride in one’s nation leading to conflict, especially in the Balkans.

• Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources among European powers.

Key Events Leading to the War

• Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (June 28, 1914) by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist.

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (July 28, 1914).

• Russia mobilized to defend Serbia, leading to a chain reaction among allied nations.

Major Battles of World War I

1. Battle of Tannenberg (August 26, 1914) - A significant German victory over Russian forces.

2. First Battle of Marne (September 5, 1914) - French and British forces halted the German advance.

3. Battle of Verdun (February - December 1916) - A long and bloody battle with heavy losses, notably for France.

4. Battle of the Somme (July 1 - November 18, 1916) - Known for its high casualty count, over 1 million soldiers died or were wounded.

5. Battle of Gallipoli (April 25, 1915 - January 9, 1916) - Allied forces attempted to secure a sea route to Russia but were ultimately defeated.

6. Battle of Jutland (May 31, 1916) - Largest naval battle; both sides claimed victory.

Key Leaders of the War

• Kaiser Wilhelm II - Germany

• Franz Joseph - Austria-Hungary

• Tsar Nicholas II - Russia

• David Lloyd George - Britain

• Georges Clemenceau - France

• Vittorio Orlando - Italy

Course of the War

• Nations formed alliances leading to widespread conflict:

  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.

  • Triple Entente: France, Britain, Russia.

• The US entered the war in 1917 after the Zimmerman Telegram and German U-boat attacks on American ships.

• The war ended with an armistice on November 11, 1918.

Consequences of World War I

• Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919):

  • Germany's territorial losses, including Alsace-Lorraine back to France.

  • Demilitarization of the Rhineland.

  • Austro-Hungarian Empire split into new nations: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, among others.

  • Creation of new countries from former empires impacted by the war, including Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.

• Over 16 million deaths, including both military personnel and civilians.

• Rise of new political ideas, including communism and socialism, due to the upheaval post-war.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

• Proposed by Woodrow Wilson as a basis for peace to prevent future conflicts:

  • Advocated for open agreements, trade, and self-determination of nations.

  • Emphasized the importance of international cooperation for peace.

Historical Context and Legacy

• The outcomes of WWI and subsequent treaties laid groundwork for WWII due to unresolved tensions and punitive measures against Germany.

• The idea of collective security emerged, influencing the formation of future organizations like NATO.

Summary of the War's Outcomes

• Major powers restructured:

  • Downfall of four empires: Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman.

  • National boundaries shifted, leading to the rise of new nations and significant geopolitical changes.