War and Revolution - In-Depth Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the MAIN causes of the Great War.

  • Understand how the Great War differed from previous wars.

  • Explore the causes of the Russian Revolution.

  • Analyze the flaws in the peace settlement.

The MAIN Causes of the Great War

  • Militarism:

    • The policy of glorifying war and strengthening military forces.

    • Major powers maintained large standing armies to protect themselves.

  • Alliances:

    • Nations formed alliances for mutual protection.

    • Key alliance: Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).

Causes: Imperialism and Nationalism

  • Central Powers:

    • Comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

  • Imperialism:

    • Tensions arose among European powers due to competition for colonies.

  • Nationalism:

    • Nationalist movements destabilized larger European empires, causing conflicts.

The Spark of War

  • Franz Ferdinand Assassination:

    • Heir to Austria-Hungary's throne assassinated by a Serbian nationalist.

    • Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia.

    • Serbia accepted all but one of the demands, leading to war.

The Guns of August (1914)

  • War Declarations:

    • Austria declared war on Serbia.

    • Russia mobilized in defense of Serbia.

    • Germany declared war on Russia, invaded Belgium, then France.

    • Britain declared war on Germany in response to the violation of Belgium's neutrality.

The Schlieffen Plan

  • A strategy that required:

    • Quickly defeating France before turning forces to the East against Russia.

    • Initial advance halted at the Battle of the Marne.

Technological and Tactical Challenges

  • Modern weapons gave defenders, such as machine guns and artillery, a significant advantage.

  • Armies suffered massive casualties without substantial gains:

    • Attacks were costly; tactics needed adaptation to modern warfare.

Total War

  • Nation's Resources:

    • Mobilization included drafting men into military, women into factories, and rationing goods.

    • Governments censored information and utilized propaganda to maintain public support.

The Eastern Front (1914)

  • Battle of Tannenberg:

    • Russian Army invaded Germany but was decisively defeated.

    • The front was dynamic and characterized by heavy casualties.

The Armenian Genocide

  • Armenians faced persecution due to rising Turkish nationalism:

    • Hundreds of thousands killed from 1915-1924, culminating in widespread deportations and massacres.

Major Battles of 1916

  • Verdun:

    • German offensive; heavy casualties for both sides but no breakthrough.

  • The Somme:

    • British offensive aimed at relieving pressure from Verdun; significant British casualties on the first day.

U.S. Involvement

  • Initially neutral, the U.S. entered after:

    • Unrestricted German submarine warfare.

    • The Zimmerman Telegram, which proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the U.S.

1918: The War’s Conclusion

  • Russia withdrew from the war after signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

  • Germany's March offensives failed, leading to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and an armistice on November 11.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

  • Woodrow Wilson's proposal for a fair peace included:

    • No secret treaties, freedom of the seas, disarmament, and the formation of the League of Nations.

Peace Settlement

  • Treaty of Versailles:

    • Germany held responsible for the war and subjected to reparations and military limitations.

    • Former Austro-Hungarian territories were reallocated to create new nations.

Pre-Revolutionary Russia

  • Described as being similar to pre-revolutionary France:

    • Three classes: nobles, clergy, and peasants under an autocratic rule.

    • Czar Nicholas II was a weak leader; industrialization began in the 1890s but led to conflict.

Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party

  • Lenin aimed to create a Communist state through a revolution led by a small group.

  • The 1905 Revolution was a response to dissatisfaction from the Russo-Japanese War.

The February and October Revolution

  • February Revolution caused the abdication of Nicholas II and led to a Provisional Government.

  • The October Revolution: Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government and sought peace with Germany.

The Russian Civil War (1918-1922)

  • Fought between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and White Armies (anti-Bolsheviks).

  • Major atrocities committed, including the execution of Nicholas II and his family.

Stalin’s Rise to Power

  • Following Lenin’s death, Stalin outmaneuvered Leon Trotsky in the power struggle:

    • Implemented the Five Year Plans for rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization.

    • Enforced heavy state control and dealt with famine-linked internal resistance.

The Great Terror

  • Stalin launched purges against suspected enemies within the Communist Party:

    • Arrests, show trials, and executions defined the period (1936-1938).

    • Major shift in Soviet society with heightened fear and manipulation of history.

Causes of the Great War

MAIN Causes

  • Militarism: The policy of glorifying war and strengthening military forces. Major powers maintained large standing armies to protect themselves.

  • Alliances: Nations formed alliances for mutual protection. Key alliance: Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).

  • Imperialism: Tensions arose among European powers due to competition for colonies.

  • Nationalism: Nationalist movements destabilized larger European empires, causing conflicts.

The Spark of War

  • Franz Ferdinand Assassination: Heir to Austria-Hungary's throne assassinated by a Serbian nationalist, causing Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia.

Key People Involved

  • Franz Ferdinand: His assassination was the catalyst for the war.

  • Czar Nicholas II: The leader of Russia, who struggled with leadership and later was overthrown during the Russian Revolution.

  • Woodrow Wilson: U.S. President who proposed the Fourteen Points for peace at the war's conclusion.

Major Events

The Guns of August (1914)

  • War Declarations: Austria declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized in defense of Serbia, and Germany declared war on Russia, leading Britain to declare war on Germany.

The Schlieffen Plan

  • A military strategy to quickly defeat France before turning to fight Russia, halted at the Battle of the Marne.

Battles of 1916

  • Verdun: Significant German offensive with high casualties.

  • The Somme: British offensive aimed at relieving pressure from Verdun; heavy casualties ensued.

U.S. Involvement

  • The U.S. initially remained neutral until unrestricted German submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram prompted entry into the war.

Revolution Causes and Events

Pre-Revolutionary Russia

  • Similar to pre-revolutionary France with three classes (nobles, clergy, and peasants) and autocratic rule, leading to dissatisfaction.

February Revolution

  • Resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II and the formation of a Provisional Government.

October Revolution

  • Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government seeking peace with Germany.

Ideologies

Bolshevism

  • Aimed to establish a Communist state through a revolution led by a small, elite group, emphasizing the need for a proletarian revolution.

Stalinism

  • Followed Lenin's rule with a focus on heavy state control, rapid industrialization through Five Year Plans, and agricultural collectivization.

Conclusion

The Great War and the subsequent Russian Revolution were driven by complex causes including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism, while shaped by key figures, numerous battles, and distinct ideologies like Bolshevism and Stalinism.

Causes of the Russian Revolution
Pre-Revolutionary Russia
Similar to pre-revolutionary France, Russia was structured into three main classes: nobles, clergy, and peasants, all under autocratic rule. Czar Nicholas II was viewed as a weak leader, and while industrialization began in the 1890s, it led to significant social conflict.

Ideologies
Bolshevism
Bolshevism aimed to establish a Communist state through a revolution led by a small, elite group. It emphasized the necessity of a proletarian revolution spearheaded by the working class, aiming to overthrow the existing capitalist systems.

Stalinism
Following Lenin's death, Stalinism emerged, focusing on heavy state control over life in the Soviet Union. It aimed for rapid industrialization through ambitious Five Year Plans and enforced agricultural collectivization. Stalin's reign was marked by strict social control and state repression.

Key People Involved
Czar Nicholas II
The leader of Russia during the time of revolution. His inability to lead effectively contributed to widespread dissatisfaction, ultimately resulting in his abdication.

Vladimir Lenin
Leader of the Bolshevik Party who played a significant role in the October Revolution, overturning the Provisional Government and instigating a shift towards a Communist state.

Leon Trotsky
A key Bolshevik figure involved in the revolution and later civil war, Trotsky played a major part in organizing the Red Army.

Major Events
February Revolution
The February Revolution resulted in widespread protests due to discontent among the populace, ultimately leading to the abdication of Nicholas II. A Provisional Government was formed to replace the czarist regime.

October Revolution
The October Revolution saw the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrow the Provisional Government, which had failed to address key issues like land reform and peace negotiations with Germany. This event marked the solidification of Communist power in Russia.

Russian Civil War (1918-1922)
Fought between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Armies (anti-Bolsheviks), this conflict involved significant atrocities and internal strife, culminating in the execution of czar Nicholas II and his family.

The Great Terror
Stalin initiated a period of political purges aimed at eliminating dissent within the Communist Party and among the general populace. This phase saw mass arrests, show trials, executions, and an atmosphere of fear and repression.