Syllabus_First_World_War

Page 6: The Armistice

• Date & Location: November 11, 1918, luxury railroad car in Compiègne, France.

• German Delegation: Four German officials met with a delegation of five British and French representatives.

• Agreement Details: Agreement reached on 35 articles at 5:45 A.M., effective at 11:00 A.M.

• End of WWI: Marked the end of the First World War, described as the darkest chapter of European history.

  • Nearly 20 million lives lost in the war and additional deaths among civilians.

  • Public sentiment suggested it was hard to imagine another war looming.

  • The war planted the seeds for future conflict, setting Europe's stage for WWII.

Social and Political Aftermath

• Devastation: Over 9 million combatants died, with many more returning with injuries and psychological scars.

• Civilian impact: Approximately 10 million civilian deaths, including casualties from genocidal actions in the Balkans/Ottoman Empire.

• Collapse of Empires:

  • Ottoman Empire: Marked the end of its 900-year influence in the Middle East.

  • Central and Eastern European politics shifted drastically with the end of dynasties:

    • Romanovs in Russia (1917).

    • Hohenzollern Dynasty (Germany) on November 9, 1918.

    • Habsburg Dynasty (Austria) on November 11, 1918.

Page 7: Origins of the Balkan Crisis

• Pre-War Diplomacy: Evolving views on the inevitability of conflict leading up to WWI.

• Balkan Tensions: Major powers had conflicting visions for the future of the Balkans, seeking ethnic self-determination post-Ottoman control.

• Geopolitical Importance: The Balkans acted as a gateway between Europe and the Middle East; controlled trade routes.

• Historical Context:

  • Ottoman invasions began in the 1300s, leading to cultural and ethnic conflicts, particularly for Serbs seeking liberation from Ottoman rule.

  • The significance of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 as a turning point in Serbian nationalism.

  • Emergence of annual commemorative events like St. Vistus Day/Celebration of Vidovdan.

Page 8: Ottoman Rule andits Impact

• Ottoman Expansion: Initial invaders faced resistance from Serbian forces but ultimately expanded control.

• Cultural Significance: The failed Battle of Kosovo became a cornerstone of Serbian national identity and memorialized in Orthodox Christian tradition.

• Continuing Effects: Ottoman control, especially after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, saw a complex relationship with Eastern Orthodox Christians whom they governed.

  • Millet System: Allowed local self-governance for non-Muslims under Ottoman law, albeit under Islamic rule.

  • Rising Nationalism: Resistance among Slavs and Orthodox Christians increased dissatisfaction with Ottoman authority.

Page 9: Habsburg Interests in the Balkans

• Austro-Hungarian Concerns: For Emperor Franz-Josef, the Balkans’ security was vital to Habsburg dominance.

  • Attempts to Hold Power: Struggled internally with ethnic diversity while managing external pressures.

• Ottoman Decline: Fears regarding the chaos that might follow if the Ottoman Empire disintegrated, increasing Russian regional influence.

• The Eastern Question: Involving the fate of the Balkans amidst collapsing imperial power, by 19th century all powers addressed Eurasian interests.

Page 10: The Bismarckian System

• Bismarck’s Role: Established a diplomatic framework during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78) to prevent war in the Balkans from escalating.

  • International Peace Summit: Congress of Berlin aimed to prevent conflict over Balkan territories.

• Treaty of Berlin (1878):

  1. Prevented unification of Slavic states, easing fears of Austro-Hungarian dominance.

  2. Established independent Bulgaria and Romania.

  3. Austria-Hungary secured control over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Page 11: Conflict of Interests

• Austro-Hungarian Opposition: Concerns about Slavic unity under Russian influence led to dominant regional tensions.

• Radical Nationalism: Emergence of Pan-Slavism fueled radical responses against Austro-Hungarian control, intensifying rivalries.

• Ongoing Diplomatic Strains: Bismarck’s balancing act to maintain stability endured pressures from rising nationalistic movements in the Balkans.

Page 12: Bismarck's Alliances and Tensions

• Realpolitik: Bismarck's vision helped stave off a two-front war by fostering alliances such as the League of Three Emperors.

• French Threat: As tensions grew, fears of a potential Franco-Russian alliance loomed due to France’s desire for revenge post-Franco-Prussian War.

• Diplomatic Maneuvering: The League aimed to prevent direct confrontation among great powers, linking rival interests.

Page 13: Collapse of Bismarck’s Order

• Wilhelm II’s Policy Shift: New leadership under Wilhelm II signaled the shift in foreign policy from Bismarck’s cautious strategy to aggressive expansionism.

• Reinsurance Treaty Fallout: Dismantling of Bismarck’s delicate alliances opened the door to future hostilities between major powers.

• Impacts of Militarism: Growing arms race and nationalistic fervor ground Europe near war.

Page 14: Rise of Regional Extremism

• Bosnian Annexation: Austria-Hungary’s takeover of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908 further strained relations with Serbia and Russia.

• Nationalist Uprisings: Aggression towards local populations increased animosity, fueling terrorist plots against Austro-Hungarian officials.

Page 15: Conclusion: Prelude to Conflict

• Emerging Terrorism: Radical groups organized in response to oppressive regimes, ultimately culminating in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

• Vidovdan: The dramatic historical ties to Kosovo symbolized Serbian nationalism and consolidated a movement aimed at independence, leading to increased tensions with Austria-Hungary.