AP World Unit 7 CH33

Page 1: The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

• Title: The Assassination

• Date: 1914

• Context: The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, the Duchess Sophie, is depicted.

• Significance: This event triggered World War I, characterized as the bloodiest war in history to that point.

Page 2: Prelude to War

• **Key Themes: **

  • The Drift toward War

  • Nationalist Aspirations

  • National Rivalries

  • Understandings and Alliances

• Archduke Francis Ferdinand (1863-1914): Aware of the dangers during his visit to Sarajevo, which had been a hotbed of nationalism.

  • Prior conflicts include the annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary and ongoing tensions with Serbia.

• Assassination Event: On a warm Sunday, Ferdinand's motorcade passed assassins, leading to a failed initial attack with a bomb that injured bystanders.

• Gavrilo Princip: The Serbian nationalist assassin, who successfully shot Ferdinand, also hit Duchess Sophie, leading to both their deaths.

• Aftermath: Princip attempted suicide post-assassination but survived, ultimately being sentenced to twenty years in prison where he died of tuberculosis.

Page 3: World War I Unfolds

• Impact of the Assassination: Sparks tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, drawing in European powers into a wider conflict.

• Alliances Formed: The war escalated into a global conflict with major factions:

  • Allies (or Associated Powers): Included France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and later the United States.

  • Central Powers: Comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

• Scope of the Conflict: The Great War lasted from August 1914 to November 1918, involving thirty-two nations and marking the first total war.

• Casualties and Damage: Estimated fifteen million soldiers dead with countless civilian and emotional scars.

• Transformation of Power: Major losses and economic shifts with the United States emerging as a world economic power.

Page 4: Causes of the War

• **Underlying Causes: **

  • Intense Nationalism and Ethnic Resentments

  • Economic Interests and Colonial Rivalries

  • Balkan Nationalism: Various ethnic groups under Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires sought independence.

• Ottoman Empire Decline: Countries like Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria gained independence, increasing tensions in the region.

• Rise of Slavic Nationalism: Fueled by Russian support for Serbia and negatively perceived by Austria-Hungary.

• Conflicts in the Balkans: Contributed to the volatile situation leading up to the war.

Page 5: National Rivalries and Public Sentiment

• Economic Competition: Industrialization led to intense rivalries, especially between Great Britain and Germany.

• Naval Arms Race: Germany's naval buildup escalated tensions with Britain, prompting both nations to build advanced battleships.

• Colonial Frictions: Fierce competition for colonies created diplomatic crises that nearly led to war before the actual outbreak in 1914.

• Public Opinion: Citizens in many European nations initially welcomed war as a source of national pride, reflecting deep-rooted nationalism.

Page 6: Alliance Dynamics

• Entangling Alliances: The militarization of foreign policy led to complex alliances:

  • Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Secret agreements between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later Italy.

  • Triple Entente (Allies): Alliances formed among Britain, France, and Russia that were driven by mutual suspicion of Germany.

• Military Plans: Inflexible military strategies contributed to the rapid escalation of conflict once mobilization began.

  • Examples include Germany's Schlieffen Plan for a two-front war against France and Russia.

Page 7: The Outbreak of War

• Timeline of Events: Key developments post-assassination led to declarations of war:

  • July 23, 1914: Austria issues a harsh ultimatum to Serbia.

  • July 28, 1914: War declared by Austria-Hungary on Serbia.

  • Subsequent Mobilizations: Russia mobilizes to protect Serbia, leading to German declarations of war on Russia and France.

• Belgian Neutrality Issue: Germany's invasion of Belgium brings Britain into the war, transforming a local conflict into a full-scale European war.

Page 8: Expectations vs. Reality

• Initial Sentiments: Expectation of a quick victory and national glory.

• Stalemate Reality: The war quickly developed into a protracted conflict characterized by trench warfare and attrition.

• Impact of Modern Technology: Weapons like machine guns and barbed wire made traditional battle tactics obsolete, resulting in massive casualties.

Page 9: Warfare and Innovations

• Emergence of New Weaponry: Innovations such as tanks and airplanes struggled to change the stagnant war conditions.

• Chemical Warfare: Introduction of poison gas like mustard gas marked a horrifying turning point in wartime lethality.

• Trench Experiences: Soldiers faced brutal conditions in the trenches, leading to widespread suffering and psychological trauma.

Page 10: Shift in Warfare Dynamics

• The Eastern Front: Contrasts with the West; more movement but still brutal, with significant losses on both sides.

• Causality Patterns: Debates on military strategies led to new types of warfare that centered around civilian targets.

• Public Reaction to War: Increasing disillusionment with the war stemming from high casualty rates and economic turmoil.

Page 11: Human Cost of the War

• High Casualties: The war’s totality and industrial nature impacted both troops and civilian populations.

• Emerging Histories: The Great War set the stage for varied ideological conflicts, impacting global political dynamics.

Page 12: Conclusion of War and Aftermath

• End of the Great War: November 11, 1918 marked the end of hostilities, leading to significant social and political changes.

• Consequences for Nations: New empires rose and fell, leading to national independence movements and revolutionary ideas gaining traction.

• Societal Impact: Post-war dynamics resulted in the weakening of traditional power structures and promoted revolutions and national demands.

Page 13: The League of Nations

• Formation: Established to secure lasting peace post-war but flawed in execution due to lack of enforcement capabilities.

• Challenges: National interests often compromised ideals of collective security with significant member nations absent in times of need.

Page 14: Reflections on the Past

• Cultural Responses: The war inspired numerous artistic and literary critiques, particularly around themes of heroism and disillusionment.

• Legacy of the Conflict: The experiences shaped the 20th century, impacting all subsequent global interactions and geopolitical landscapes.