SG HISTOY WW1

Study Guide: Causes and Events Leading to World War I

4 MAIN Causes of World War I

  1. Militarism

    • Definition: National Policy to stockpile military arms & build strongest military

    • Example: The naval arms race between Britain and Germany, particularly the dreadnought battleships, increased tensions and competition.

    • TYPES OF WEAPONS EXS:-

    • Maxim Machine Guns

    • Better artillery (modern “cannons”)

    • Poisonous Gas (Chlorine/mustard)

    • Land Mines

    • NEW WEAPONS OF WAR:-

    • Trucks/Cars/Motorcycles

    • Tanks (slow & bulky) DESTRUCTIVE

    • Flame Thrower

    • Barbed Wire (protect trenches)

    • planes

    • UBoat.Sumbarine

      -created by Germans to compete against British Navy

      1.5 Minor Cause: French vs. Prussia

      The conflict between France and Prussia, particularly during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), was pivotal in shaping the political landscape of Europe leading up to World War I. Key figures in this struggle included French Emperor Napoleon III and German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who represented King Wilhelm I of Prussia.

      • Napoleon III's Goals: Napoleon III sought to recreate the grandeur of the Napoleonic Empire and expand French influence in Europe. His ambitions included the desire to assert dominance over rival powers and unify French territories, particularly at the expense of the German states.

      • Wilhelm I and German Unification: Wilhelm I aimed to unite the German states under Prussian leadership, countering French advances. Bismarck used nationalist sentiments to foster unity among Germans and promote war as a means of achieving political objectives, directly challenging French supremacy.

      • Aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War: The conflict culminated with the defeat of France and the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 at the Palace of Versailles. This event symbolized a significant shift in power dynamics, as Germany emerged as a dominant force in Europe, while France endured a deep sense of humiliation and loss.

      • Treaty of Versailles (1871): The treaty imposed substantial penalties on France. Key points included:

        • Territorial Losses: France surrendered the territories of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, along with the Saar region, which contained vital coal resources.

        • Reparations: France was required to pay massive reparations amounting to 5 billion francs, further straining its economy and fostering resentment towards Germany.

        • German Occupation: Following the war, German troops occupied parts of France until reparations were paid in full, exacerbating hostility between the two nations.

        • Coronation of Wilhelm I: The war's resolution also led to the crowning of Wilhelm I as the German Kaiser in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, a moment steeped in symbolism that solidified German unification and enflamed tensions with France.

      This minor cause, rooted in national pride and historical rivalry, contributed to the complex web of animosities that would eventually erupt into World War I.

  2. Alliances

    • Definition: Agreements between countries to provide mutual support in case of conflict, which can create a domino effect when one nation goes to war.

    • Example: The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Great Britain).

  3. Imperialism

    • Definition: Competition for colonies and global dominance, leading to conflicts and rivalries between major powers.

    • Example: The Scramble for Africa where European nations competed for territories, causing disputes and tensions.

  4. Nationalism

    • Definition: Intense pride in one’s nation often leading to the desire for independence or dominance over others.

    • Example: Slavic nationalism in the Balkans, particularly the desire of Serbia to have a greater Slavic empire which threatened Austria-Hungary.

Two Alliances BEFORE the War

  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

  • Triple Entente: France, Russia, Great Britain

Two Alliances DURING the War

  • Allied Powers: France, Russia, Great Britain, Italy, USA (joined later)

  • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria

Examples of Alliances and Conflict

  1. Austrian support for Hungary against Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (ADFF).

  2. Germany's support for Austria-Hungary, leading to a declaration of war on Russia and France.

  3. The entangling alliances leading to a wider conflict as countries were pulled in due to treaty obligations (e.g., Russia mobilizing to support Serbia, causing Germany to declare war).

ADFF's Assassination

  • Who: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

  • Where: Sarajevo, Bosnia

  • When: June 28, 1914

  • Why: ADFF was seen as a symbol of Austro-Hungarian oppression of Slavs.

  • Who did it: Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group known as the Black Hand.

Russia's Involvement

Russia got involved in World War I primarily to support Serbia, a fellow Slavic nation, after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia viewed itself as the protector of Slavic nations and was motivated by national pride and the desire to maintain influence in the Balkans.

The Schlieffen Plan

The Schlieffen Plan was Germany's military strategy to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France first by invading through Belgium, then turning to fight Russia. The plan aimed for a swift victory, but ultimately failed, leading to a prolonged conflict.

Key Battles

  • Battle of the Marne: Marked the end of German advances into France and the beginning of trench warfare.

  • Battle of the Somme: Known for its high casualty rates; a significant British offensive to relieve pressure on the French forces at Verdun.

  • Battle of Tannenberg: A major German victory against Russia, showcasing Germany's military effectiveness on the Eastern Front.

Trench Warfare

  • Description: A method of fighting where soldiers dug and occupied trenches for protection from enemy fire, leading to a static front. Trench warfare occurred because of the advancements in weaponry that made open battlefield tactics deadly.

  • How to Fight: Fighting involved a combination of holding positions, launching attacks across no man's land, and enduring harsh conditions while manning the trenches in prolonged stalemates.

Alliances in World War I

Two Alliances BEFORE the War
  1. Triple Alliance

    • Countries: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

    • Description: This alliance was formed to provide mutual support and security against the growing power of France and Russia. It aimed to counterbalance the influence of the Triple Entente.

  2. Triple Entente

    • Countries: France, Russia, Great Britain

    • Description: This was not a formal alliance but an understanding to work together against the threat posed by the Triple Alliance. It sought to counteract the military buildup and ambitions of Germany.

Two Alliances DURING the War
  1. Allied Powers

    • Countries: France, Russia, Great Britain, Italy, USA (joined later)

    • Description: This coalition fought against the Central Powers, unified by mutual interests in defeating their common enemies and maintaining a balance of power in Europe.

  2. Central Powers

    • Countries: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria

    • Description: This group sought to expand their territory and influence, largely driven by nationalism and imperial ambitions.

These alliances were significant as they meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly escalate into a larger war, pulling in allies and leading to a global conflict. The entangled relationships and obligations of these alliances ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

During World War I, several countries had deep-seated animosities due to a variety of historical, political, and social reasons. Here are some key points explaining why some countries held negative feelings towards each other:

  1. Nationalism: Intense patriotism often led to rivalries. For example, Slavic nationalism in the Balkans heightened tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, as Serbia sought to expand its influence among Slavic people, threatening Austrian authority.

  2. Imperialism: Competition for colonies created friction between European powers. The Scramble for Africa illustrated how countries like Britain, France, and Germany competed fiercely for territories and resources, leading to disputes and distrust.

  3. Militarism: The arms race created suspicion and fear. Countries built up their military capabilities and stockpiled weapons, leading to a perception of threat from others. For instance, the naval arms race between Germany and Britain intensified rivalry, as each nation sought to establish its dominance.

  4. Historical Conflicts: Historical grievances also fueled hatred. For instance, France harbored resentment towards Germany after losing the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine. This left a legacy of bitterness as France sought to regain its lost territory.

  5. Alliances: The complex web of alliances meant that conflicts between two nations could quickly involve others, often resulting in cascading hostilities. For example, Austria-Hungary's conflict with Serbia escalated into a wider war due to obligations to allies and treaty commitments.

Overall, the combination of nationalism, imperialism, militarism, historical grievances, and alliances contributed to the animosities that characterized the relationships among countries leading up to and during World War I.