WH notes

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.