World War 1

Causes of WW1

WW1 Causes

  • Alliance system

    • Complex system of mutual defense agreements between European countries and their colonies.

    • Led to many countries entering the war.

  • Rise of Nationalism

    • Nations under imperial rule desired sovereignty (e.g., Ireland's 1916 Rebellion).

    • Serbian nationalist assassinated Austro-Hungarian Duke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914.

  • Modern Technology

    • Weapons developed due to the industrial revolution.

    • Creation of tanks, shells, machine guns.

    • Leaders were eager to use new weapons due to the industrial-military complex.

  • Unrealistic views of war

    • Leaders underestimated the value of soldiers' lives.

    • Propaganda and nationalism convinced many that war would be a great adventure.

Alliances

  • Designed to prevent conflict; an attack on one country would involve many.

  • By 1914, Europe was a complex network of alliances.

  • Two main groups: Triple Alliance and Triple Entente

Triple Alliance

  • Promised mutual defense if attacked.

    • Germany

      • Colonies: Ghana, Tanzania, Namibia

      • Soldiers: 13.67 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 9.03 \text{ Mil}

    • Austria-Hungary

      • Colonies: Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina

      • Soldiers: 7.8 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 1.01 \text{ Mil}

    • Italy

      • Colonies: Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia

      • Soldiers: 5 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 460,000

Triple Entente

  • Did not promise to help each other, but surrounded Germany and Austria-Hungary.

    • Britain

      • Colonies: India, Australia, Jamaica

      • Soldiers: 6.1 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 750,000

    • Russia

      • Colonies: Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland

      • Soldiers: 12 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 6.8 \text{ Mil}

    • France

      • Colonies: Algeria, Indonesia, West Africa

      • Soldiers: 8.4 \text{ Mil}

      • Casualties: 5.7 \text{ Mil}

Australia's Entry into WW1

  • Australia initially had limited experience and understanding of war.

  • War was perceived as glorious, exciting, and heroic.

  • Young people were taught:

    • Military stories and drills at school.

    • Battles were won effortlessly.

    • Obey orders and work together.

    • Soldiers were rarely wounded or killed.

    • War was romanticized.

The Great Adventure

  • When Britain declared war on Germany, Australia was automatically involved.

  • Enthusiasm led men to join the AIF (Australian Imperial Force).

  • Around 50,000 enlisted by 1914.

  • By the end of 1915, a war census showed 244,000 single men of military age were available for enlistment.

  • On November 26, 1915, Billy Hughes (Australia's leader) promised Britain 50,000 more soldiers, in addition to the 9,500 per month already promised as reinforcements to the 60,000 already fighting.

Reasons for Enlistment

  • Spirit of adventure (opportunity to see the world).

  • Desire to show Australia's contribution.

  • Loyalty to the mother country (Britain).

  • Support for Britain in case Australia needed help.

  • Women encouraged enlistment.

  • Opportunity to earn income.

  • Hatred for the enemy (due to propaganda).

  • Escape boredom/rules, leave school early.

Recruitment Rallies

  • Held in every city/town.

  • Platforms with British and Australian flags behind speakers.

  • High-profile sports people in crowds to attract recruits.

Aboriginal Australians

  • Only 400 enlisted; others rejected as not of European origin.

  • They did not receive pensions or benefits after the war like white soldiers.

Questioning voices

  • Some argued it wasn't Australia's war and would have no impact.

  • Pacifists opposed to war and violence.

  • Conscientious objectors refused military service due to religion, beliefs, or conscience.

  • Some were afraid, disabled, or could not leave family due to money problems.

Gallipoli

  • Why Gallipoli?

    • The Triple Alliance split Britain and France from Russia.

    • The Ottoman Empire joined the war on Turkey's side.

    • A supply route to Russia was needed.

  • Importance of the Dardanelles

    • The North Sea froze in winter, preventing Russian troops from exiting.

    • The only option was the exit through the Dardanelles.

    • The attack on Gallipoli lasted 8 months and ended in defeat. 8,709 Australians died.

  • Significance of Gallipoli war

    • First time Australia fought in battle as a nation in significant numbers.

    • Marked the birth of the nation on the world stage.

    • Demonstrated courage and ingenuity.

  • Conditions at Gallipoli

    • No bathing facilities, limited opportunities to wash.

    • Open and rudimentary latrines.

    • Poor nutrition due to lack of supply.

    • Disease swept through both forces (dysentery, tetanus, septic wounds).

    • Plagued and evacuated thousands of soldiers.

    • Low ammunition supply, lack of reinforcements.

    • Fighting often turned into hand-to-hand combat.

Definitions

  • Nationalism: Political and social ideology emphasizing national pride and loyalty.

  • Socialism: Political and economic system where production is owned and regulated by the community, not private individuals.

  • Anarchism: A political philosophy advocating a society without rulers, government, or hierarchy, opposing all forms of oppression.

  • Militarism: The belief that a country should have a strong military and be ready to use it.

  • Arms Race: Competition between countries to build the most powerful military or weapons.

  • Military-Industrial Complex: Close relationship between a military, government, and weapon manufacturers.