Study guide

Overview of the Second Industrial Revolution and WWI

The Second Phase of the Industrial Revolution

  1. Differences from the First Phase

    • a. Major Source of Power: Electricity became the primary source of power.

    • b. Economic Growth: The rise of billionaires and significant increases in wealth among industrialists.

    • c. Technological Innovations:

      • - Development of inventions such as automobiles, bridges, ships, and buildings.

    • d. Agricultural Advancements: Improved farm machinery led to increased food supply.

    • e. Population Growth: City populations grew as workers became mobile.

    • f. Militarism: Increased focus on military buildup, including modernization.

    • g. Economic Displacement: Decline of small farmers and craftsmen as factory systems emerged.

    • h. Mass Production Techniques: Introduction of factory systems and assembly lines in manufacturing.

    • i. Education Improvements:

      • - Construction of more libraries, colleges, universities, and vocational schools.

      • - Increased opportunities for women to attend schools.

    • j. Increase in News Media: Growth in printing newspapers, magazines, and books.

    • k. Medical and Scientific Advancements: Notable progress in these fields.

    • l. Community Improvements: Development of public services like roads, police, fire departments, sewage, and community centers.

    • m. Leading Industrial Nations: USA, Great Britain, and Germany emerged as industrial giants.

World War I (WWI) Overview

  • Time Frame: (1914 - 1918 in Europe, 1917-1918 in the US)

  • Common Names: "The Great War", "The War to End All Wars", "The War to Make the World Safe for Democracy".

I. Causes of World War I

  1. Imperialism: Competition for colonies in Africa and Asia.

  2. Nationalism: National pride and ethnic tensions.

  3. Militarism: Accumulation of weapons and military preparedness.

  4. Economic Rivalry: Competition among nations for economic power and resources.

  5. Desire for Revenge: France sought revenge for its defeat in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War.

  6. Secret Alliances:

    • a. The Triple Alliance (1880-1882):

      • - Comprised of Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Germany.

      • - Later renamed the central powers as allies evolved.

      • - Italy ultimately dropped out, while Turkey and Bulgaria allied with Germany.

      • - Advantages included Germany having a superior army.

    • b. The Triple Entente (1907):

      • - Formed between Great Britain, France, and Russia, and later became the Allied Powers.

      • - Serbia allied with Russia, and Japan allied with the US, which entered the war in 1917 after Russia's exit due to revolution.

      • - Advantages included Britain's strong navy and France’s capable army.

II. Triggering Events of the War

  1. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:

    • - Occurred on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Serbia.

    • - Gavrilo Princip from the anarchist group "The Black Hand" carried out the assassination.

  2. Diplomatic Reactions:

    • - Austria-Hungary demanded reparations from Serbia, who agreed, yet declared war on July 28, 1914.

    • - Russia mobilized to support Serbia, leading Germany to declare war on Russia and later on France on August 3, 1914.

  3. The Schlieffen Plan:

    • - Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France before focusing on Russia.

    • - The plan failed, resulting in a protracted stalemate on the Western Front due to fighting on multiple fronts.

    • - General Henri Petain famously defended Paris against German advances.

III. U.S. Involvement

  1. Staying Neutral:

    • - The U.S. initially remained neutral, adhering to the Monroe Doctrine, selling supplies to both sides.

    • - Many ethnic groups opposed fighting against their relatives.

  2. Entry into the War:

    • - The U.S. entered the war on April 2, 1917, largely due to Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram proposing an alliance with Mexico.

  3. War Dynamics:

    • - New weapons and warfare tactics altered the nature of combat.

    • - Heavy use of propaganda to gain public support and the rationing of food on the home front.

    • - Dissent against the war was met with harsh penalties, including charges of treason.

IV. Conclusion of the War

  1. End of the War:

    • - The war concluded on November 11, 1918, with the Allies victorious.

  2. American Contributions:

    • - Led by General John J. Pershing, American forces played a crucial role in the final stages of the conflict.

  3. Paris Peace Conference:

    • - President Woodrow Wilson presented the Fourteen Points, aiming for fair and equitable terms, but faced resistance from European leaders seeking harsh penalties for Germany.

    • - The Treaty of Versailles formally ended the war in 1919, imposing reparations of $61 million on Germany and resulting in territorial losses.

  4. League of Nations:

    • - Established under Wilson's plan as a peacekeeping organization, but the U.S. never joined, weakening its effectiveness.

  5. Aftermath:

    • - Isolationism resurfaced in the U.S., reverting to the Monroe Doctrine.

    • - The war's financial cost totaled $337 billion with millions of military and civilian casualties.

V. Significant Figures and Political Changes

  1. Prime Ministers during Victoria's Reign:

    • - Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881): First Jewish Prime Minister, expanded the British Empire; declared Queen Victoria as Empress of India in 1876.

    • - William Gladstone: Liberal leader focused on justice within the empire, unsuccessfully pursued Irish home rule.

  2. Congress of Vienna (1815):

    • - Held post-Napoleon to restore order in Europe and deter revolutionary movements.

    • - Key figures included Prince Metternich of Austria, Lord Castlereagh of Great Britain, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, and Prince Talleyrand of France.

  3. Napoleon III:

    • - Initiated the Franco-Prussian War, resulting in France's defeat and subsequent territorial losses that fueled animosity toward Germany, setting the stage for WWI.

VI. Socio-Political Implications

  1. Emergence of Communism:

    • - Karl Marx’s theories proposed a proletarian revolution against bourgeois capitalism, leading to a classless society.

    • - Opposition stemmed from fears of loss of individualism and the rise of labor unions that effectively improved workers' conditions.

  2. Impact on Italy:

    • - Struggled to unify and establish a powerful nation due to lack of experience in self-governance, weak industry, high inflation, and lack of respect from other nations.

  3. Anti-k

    • - Increased in Europe, particularly after Dreyfus Affair, which highlighted prejudiced scapegoating of Jewish individuals for national failures.

VII. Notable Wars and Conflicts

  1. Crimean War (1854-1856): Undertaken by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia against Ottoman Turks, leading to involvement from multiple European nations. Significant for introducing modern warfare and media coverage.

Important Dates and References in History

  • Key Dates: June 28th 1815, 1870, 1914-1918 (European), 1917-1918 (U.S.), June 28th 1914, July 28th 1914, November 11th 1918.