World War I (1914-1918) Notes

World War I (1914-1918): Causes and Completion

Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
- Heir-apparent to the Austria-Hungary throne.
- Assassination triggered the outbreak of World War I.
- Born: 1863, Died: 1914.
Question: Would World War I have occurred if Ferdinand had not been assassinated?

Timeframe: 1914-1918
Location: Primarily fought in Europe, western Asia, and parts of East Africa.
Casualties:
- 10 million soldiers killed (among 22 nations).
- 7 million civilians killed (among 25 nations).
- 17 million total people "Lost" (including over 100,000 Americans).
- 21 million soldiers wounded (including over 200,000 Americans).
Source of Stats: Brands, Breen, Williams, And Gross (2013) American Stories, 2nd ed. Also from http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/resources/casdeath_pop.html

Captain Dragutin Dimitrijević shot three times during the assassination.
Dimitrijević commanded five teams of assassins into the "Old Palace."
The mission: search and destroy the Serbian King and Queen due to their lack of popularity and perceived lack of commitment against Austro-Hungarian annexation.
King Alexander (26) and Queen Draga (36) were murdered during the operation.

Favored efforts to oppose further Austro-Hungarian annexation.
Captain Dragutin Dimitrijević was credited for enabling King Peter's reign and recognized as a national hero.
King Peter I pardoned most of the conspirators, including Dimitrijevic, while some were forced into retirement.
Dimitrijevic was promoted and authorized to form the "Black Hand".

Ferdinand visited Sarajevo, Bosnia, to review Austrian-Hungarian troops and training near the Serbian border.
Speculation arose that Austria-Hungary intended to annex Serbia.
Initiatives emerged to assassinate Austro-Hungarian officials throughout Serbia and Bosnia.

Gavrilo Princip and six other operatives stationed along the main road.
- Born: 1894, Died: 1918.
- Black Hand agent.
Princip was supplied and funded by Dragutin Dimitrijević (Apis) from the Serbian Black Hand. *Places along route:
- Cumuja Bridge
- Frans Josef Street
- Appel Quay
- River Miljacka
- Lateiner Bridge

Around 10:45 AM: Ferdinand and Sophie were assassinated in the car by Gavrilo Princip after a wrong turn.
Princip, a 19-year-old Bosnian nationalist, shot Ferdinand and Sophie.
The car was a 1911 Gräf & Stift automobile manufactured in Austria.

Austria-Hungary government sent the "July Ultimatum" to the Serbian government.
Key demands:
1. Suppress publications inciting hatred against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
2. Dissolve the Serbian nationalist organization "Narodna Odbrana" and similar societies.
3. Eliminate anti-Austria-Hungary propaganda from schoolbooks and public documents.
4. Remove officers and functionaries identified by the Austro-Hungarian Government from the Serbian military and civil administration.
5. Accept Austro-Hungarian representatives for the suppression of subversive movements.
6. Bring to trial all accessories to the Archduke's assassination and allow Austro-Hungarian delegates to take part in the investigations.
7. Arrest Major Vojislav Tankosić and civil servant Milan Ciganović.
8. Cease cooperation in the "traffic in arms and explosives across the frontier" and punish officials involved.
9. Provide explanations regarding Serbian officials expressing hostility to the Austro-Hungarian Government.
10. Notify the Austro-Hungarian Government of the execution of these measures.
Serbia rejected demand #6, refusing to surrender Dimitrijevic.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Russia, Serbia's ally, declared war against Austria-Hungary.
Germany, Austria-Hungary's ally, declared war on Russia.
Turkey, Germany's ally, declared war on Russia.
France and Britain, Russia's allies, declared war on Germany, Turkey, and Austria-Hungary.
Late Summer 1914: War erupted between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.

Allied Powers: Green
Central Powers: Orange
Neutral Countries: Gray
Fought primarily in Europe, western Asia, and parts of East Africa.
Casualties:
- 10 million soldiers killed (among 22 nations)
- 7 million civilians killed (among 25 nations)
- 17 million total people “Lost”
- 21 million soldiers wounded
Source: http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm

Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico if the U.S. entered the war.
Germany promised financial support and assistance in reconquering lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
The telegram was intercepted by the British, and the U.S. government was notified after the Lusitania incident.
Between 1915 and 1916, more U.S. citizens supported entering the war.

Commercial and investment banker, John Pierpont "J.P." Morgan (1837 – 1913)
J.P. Morgan Bank was concerned that over 10 billion in loans to Britain and France would not be repaid if Germany won.
President Woodrow Wilson (1856 – 1924) was elected in 1912 and re-elected in 1916 on a promise to keep the U.S. “out of war”.

1914: World War I broke out in Europe.
1916: President Woodrow Wilson re-elected on a promise to keep the U.S. out of WW1.
1917: U.S. entered World War I.
Over 100,000 soldiers killed.
Over 200,000 soldiers wounded.
Effect on the Lost Generation:
- 24 million men registered for the draft.
- 2.8 million men were drafted (about 50% of combat forces).

Disenchanted and disorientated after learning about the truths behind World War I.
To escape disenchantment, many were vulnerable to purchasing new consumer goods (cars, radios, cameras, refrigerators, fashions, cigarettes, illegal alcohol, and installment loans from banks).
Young adults during the 1920s.
Middle-aged adults during the 1930s.