Chapter 25 IMPORTANT PEOPLE: The Beginning of the Twentieth-Century Crisis: War and Revolution

Chapter 25: The Beginning of the Twentieth-Century Crisis: War and Revolution

1. The Road to World War I

  1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    • Lifespan: December 18, 1863 – June 28, 1914

    • Importance: His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated the outbreak of World War I.

    • Key Facts: He was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.

  2. Sophia Ferdinand

    • Lifespan: January 5, 1868 – June 28, 1914

    • Importance: Wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, also a victim of the assassination, which emphasized the personal tragedy amidst political turmoil.

    • Key Facts: They were both assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand.

  3. Black Hand

    • Lifespan: Founded in 1911, disbanded after World War I

    • Importance: A secret society that aimed to unify South Slavic people; orchestrated the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

    • Key Facts: The group was involved in various nationalist actions and had connections to terrorist activities.

  4. Emperor William II

    • Lifespan: January 27, 1859 – June 4, 1941

    • Importance: The last German Emperor and King of Prussia, his aggressive foreign policy and militarism were significant factors leading to WWI.

    • Key Facts: He abdicated in 1918 after Germany's defeat in the war.

  5. Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg

    • Lifespan: November 29, 1856 – January 1, 1921

    • Importance: Chancellor of Germany at the outbreak of WWI, he played a key role in the decisions leading up to the war.

    • Key Facts: He initially supported a diplomatic resolution but shifted towards militarism.

  6. Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf

    • Lifespan: December 2, 1852 – August 8, 1925

    • Importance: Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army, he advocated for aggressive military action against Serbia.

    • Key Facts: His strategies were pivotal in Austria-Hungary's military operations during WWI.

  7. Alfred von Schlieffen

    • Lifespan: February 28, 1833 – April 4, 1913

    • Importance: Designer of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany's military strategy for a two-front war against France and Russia.

    • Key Facts: The plan was crucial in the early stages of WWI but ultimately failed.

2. The War

  1. General Joseph Joffre

    • Lifespan: 1852 – 1931

    • Importance: French general who played a significant role in the early battles of WWI, including the First Battle of the Marne.

    • Key Facts: He was instrumental in organizing the French army and countering the German advance.

  2. Paul von Hindenburg

    • Lifespan: October 2, 1847 – August 2, 1934

    • Importance: German general who led the Eastern Front victories against the Russians and later became a key political figure in Germany.

    • Key Facts: Hindenburg served as the President of Germany during the Weimar Republic.

  3. General Erich Ludendorff

    • Lifespan: April 9, 1865 – December 20, 1937

    • Importance: A prominent German commander during WWI who played a major role in the German military strategy.

    • Key Facts: Ludendorff was influential in the development of the so-called Ludendorff offensives in 1918.

  4. T.E. Lawrence

    • Lifespan: August 16, 1888 – May 19, 1935

    • Importance: British officer known for his role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI.

    • Key Facts: He is often referred to as "Lawrence of Arabia."

  5. Lettow-Vorbeck

    • Lifespan: March 20, 1870 – January 26, 1964

    • Importance: German general during WWI known for his unconventional guerrilla warfare tactics in East Africa.

    • Key Facts: He was the last German commander to surrender in the war.

  6. Admiral Holtzendorff

    • Lifespan: September 16, 1853 – January 30, 1919

    • Importance: A key naval commander in the German Empire who supported unrestricted submarine warfare during WWI.

    • Key Facts: His policies greatly affected the naval conflict and contributed to the United States entering the war.

  7. Bolsheviks

    • Lifespan: Founded 1903, became dominant in Russian politics after the October Revolution of 1917

    • Importance: A radical socialist faction in Russia that played a leading role in the Russian Revolution and the establishment of a communist government.

    • Key Facts: Led by Vladimir Lenin, they seized power from the provisional government in October 1917.

  8. Woodrow Wilson

    • Lifespan: December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924

    • Importance: President of the United States during WWI who advocated for the League of Nations and a peace based on self-determination.

    • Key Facts: He proposed the Fourteen Points as a framework for peace at the end of the war.

  9. Walter Rathenau

    • Lifespan: September 29, 1867 – June 24, 1922

    • Importance: German industrialist and politician who was a key figure in the war economy during WWI.

    • Key Facts: He served as the Minister of Reconstruction and was assassinated in 1922.

  10. Ministry of Munitions

    • Lifespan: Established in 1915, disbanded after WWI

    • Importance: A British government department responsible for the production of munitions and supplies for the war effort.

    • Key Facts: Led by David Lloyd George, it played a crucial role in ensuring that British forces were adequately supplied.

  11. Georges Clemenceau

    • Lifespan: September 28, 1841 – November 24, 1929

    • Importance: French Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI who was a strong proponent of total victory over Germany.

    • Key Facts: Known as "The Tiger," he played a significant role in the Paris Peace negotiations.

  12. German Social Democrats

    • Lifespan: Founded in 1875, became a major political party in Germany by the early 20th century

    • Importance: A political party advocating for socialist principles and workers' rights, they played a significant role in German politics during and after WWI.

    • Key Facts: They were divided in their responses to the war, with some members supporting the war effort and others advocating for peace.

3. War and Revolution

  1. Tsar Nicholas II

    • Lifespan: May 18, 1868 – July 17, 1918

    • Importance: The last Emperor of Russia, his reign saw the fall of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Bolsheviks after his abdication during the February Revolution of 1917.

    • Key Facts: He and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918 following the Russian Revolution, symbolizing the end of the Romanov dynasty.

  2. Alexandra Tsarina

    • Lifespan: June 6, 1872 – July 17, 1918

    • Importance: The wife of Tsar Nicholas II, she was heavily influenced by Rasputin and played a crucial role in the royal family's decisions during the war.

    • Key Facts: She was also executed with her family during the Bolshevik revolution, seen as significant in the monarchy's downfall.

  3. Rasputin

    • Lifespan: January 10, 1869 – December 30, 1916

    • Importance: A mystic and confidant to the royal family; his influence over Alexandra and Nicholas II was blamed for the monarchy's unpopularity.

    • Key Facts: He was assassinated by nobles fearing his influence and blaming him for the imperial family's decline.

  4. Alexis (hemophilic son)

    • Lifespan: August 12, 1904 – October 17, 1918

    • Importance: The only son of Nicholas II and Alexandra, suffering from hemophilia.

    • Key Facts: His illness heightened the family's reliance on Rasputin, impacting their public image.

  5. The Duma

    • Lifespan: Established in 1906

    • Importance: The legislative assembly in the Russian Empire, addressing public grievances but often undermined by the Tsar's autocracy.

    • Key Facts: A focal point for political opposition leading up to and during the Russian Revolution.

  6. Soviets of Russia

    • Lifespan: Established in 1905

    • Importance: Councils of workers' and soldiers' deputies that formed the basis for Soviet Russia's political structure after the October Revolution.

    • Key Facts: Represented grassroots movements pivotal in the Bolsheviks' rise to power.

  7. Marxist Social Democratic Party

    • Lifespan: Founded in 1898

    • Importance: Political group in Russia implementing Marxist theory and advocating for workers' rights.

    • Key Facts: Eventually split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

  8. Bolsheviks

    • Lifespan: Founded in 1903

    • Importance: A radical socialist faction that dominated after the October Revolution of 1917.

    • Key Facts: Advocated for a dictatorship of the proletariat and the abolition of capitalism, led by Lenin.

  9. Mensheviks

    • Lifespan: Founded in 1903

    • Importance: Faction of the Marxist Social Democratic Party, opposing Bolsheviks.

    • Key Facts: Less radical, lost influence after the October Revolution.

  10. Wladimir Ulianov - Lenin

    • Lifespan: April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924

    • Importance: Leader of the Bolsheviks, pivotal in the October Revolution and establishing a communist government in Russia.

    • Key Facts: Developed Marxism-Leninism theory and authored several influential works on socialist revolution.

  11. Alexander Kerensky

    • Lifespan: May 4, 1881 – June 24, 1970

    • Importance: Key political figure in the Russian Revolution who served as Minister of War and Prime Minister in the Provisional Government.

    • Key Facts: Opposed the Bolsheviks, eventually overthrown during their 1917 power seizure.

  12. General Lavr Kornilov

    • Lifespan: August 18, 1870 – April 13, 1940

    • Importance: Russian general who attempted a coup against the Provisional Government in August 1917.

    • Key Facts: His failed coup deepened the political crisis and aided Bolshevik momentum.

  13. Leon Trotsky

    • Lifespan: November 7, 1879 – August 21, 1940

    • Importance: Key Bolshevik leader and architect of the Red Army during the Civil War.

    • Key Facts: Significant in the October Revolution, later fell out of favor under Stalin leading to his exile.

  14. Alexandra Kollontai

    • Lifespan: March 31, 1872 – March 9, 1952

    • Importance: Prominent Bolshevik and women's rights advocate; first female ambassador in history.

    • Key Facts: Promoted policies advancing women's rights in early Soviet state.

  15. Zhenotdel

    • Lifespan: Established in 1919, disbanded in 1930

    • Importance: Women's Department of the Communist Party focusing on women's issues and empowerment.

    • Key Facts: Aimed to integrate women into the workforce and promote their rights.

  16. Admiral Alexander Kolchak

    • Lifespan: November 16, 1874 – February 7, 1920

    • Importance: Key leader of the White Army during the Russian Civil War opposing Bolsheviks.

    • Key Facts: Captured and executed by Bolshevik forces in 1920.

  17. White Army vs Red Army

    • Lifespan: 1917 – 1922

    • Importance: Red Army: Bolshevik representatives vs. White Army: anti-Bolshevik coalition during Russian Civil War.

    • Key Facts: Resulted in Bolshevik control over Russia.

  18. Cheka of Russia

    • Lifespan: Established in December 1917

    • Importance: First Soviet state security organization, responsible for suppressing opposition.

    • Key Facts: Evolved into the KGB, notorious for political repression.

  19. General Ferdinand Foch

    • Lifespan: October 2, 1851 – March 20, 1929

    • Importance: French general, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during WWI.

    • Key Facts: Crucial in achieving victory for Allies and in Treaty of Versailles negotiations.

  20. Friedrich Ebert

    • Lifespan: February 4, 1871 – February 28, 1925

    • Importance: Leader of Social Democratic Party, first President of Germany in Weimar Republic.

    • Key Facts: Faced challenges of economic instability and political extremism.

  21. Mussolini

    • Lifespan: July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945

    • Importance: Italian dictator and founder of Fascism, allied with Hitler during WWII.

    • Key Facts: Ruled Italy from 1922 until ousted in 1943, promoting nationalism and militarism.

  22. Adolf Hitler

    • Lifespan: April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945

    • Importance: Leader of the Nazi Party, rose to power as German Chancellor and initiated WWII.

    • Key Facts: His regime was marked by totalitarianism, Holocaust, and expansionism.

  23. Karl Liebknecht

    • Lifespan: August 13, 1871 – January 15, 1919

    • Importance: Prominent German socialist and Spartacist League co-founder; opposed WWI.

    • Key Facts: Assassinated by right-wing forces alongside Rosa Luxemburg.

  24. Rosa Luxemburg

    • Lifespan: March 5, 1871 – January 15, 1919

    • Importance: Marxist theorist and revolutionary socialist, co-founding Spartacist League.

    • Key Facts: Murdered with Karl Liebknecht, symbolizing leftist struggle in Germany.

  25. Bela Kun

    • Lifespan: February 20, 1886 – August 29, 1938

    • Importance: Hungarian communist revolutionary, leader of Soviet Republic of Hungary in 1919.

    • Key Facts: His government was short-lived, leading to collapse and exile.

4. The Peace Settlement

  1. Lenin

    • Lifespan: April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924

    • Importance: Leader of the Bolsheviks, pivotal in the October Revolution and establishing a communist government in Russia.

    • Key Facts: Developed Marxism-Leninism theory and authored several influential works on socialist revolution.

  2. Woodrow Wilson

    • Lifespan: December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924

    • Importance: President of the United States during WWI who advocated for the League of Nations and a peace based on self-determination.

    • Key Facts: He proposed the Fourteen Points as a framework for peace at the end of the war.

  3. David Lloyd George

    • Lifespan: January 17, 1863 – March 26, 1945

    • Importance: British Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI and a key figure in the post-war peace negotiations.

    • Key Facts: Advocated for a punitive peace with Germany to ensure future security.

  4. Georges Clemenceau

    • Lifespan: September 28, 1841 – November 24, 1929

    • Importance: French Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI who was a strong proponent of total victory over Germany.

    • Key Facts: Known as "The Tiger," he played a significant role in the Paris Peace negotiations.