150 likes | 248 Views
World War I. Underlying Causes (excuses). Imperialism Taking over other nations (motivations vary) Creates instability and violates nations’ sovereignty (self-determination ) Nationalism Intense feeling of pride/loyalty to one’s own group
E N D
Underlying Causes (excuses) • Imperialism • Taking over other nations (motivations vary) • Creates instability and violates nations’ sovereignty (self-determination) • Nationalism • Intense feeling of pride/loyalty to one’s own group • Problematic when at expense of other nations’ sovereignty (self-determination) Ex. Pan-Germanism and Pan-Slavism • Militarism • Arms racing and keeping an army prepared for war • defense or hostile actions/intentions??? • Entangling Alliances • Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) • Triple Entente (G.B., France, and Russia) • Causes chain reaction and a much bigger conflict - “world war”
How does it all start? • Where does it start? • Balkan Peninsula • “Powder Keg of Europe” • Why called Powder Keg? • Ethnic/religious disputes in region (explosive situation) • The “Spark” • Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie assassinated by Serb nationalist • Part I • Part II
War Declared • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after issuing an ultimatum • War Declared - July 28th 1914 • Sets off chain reaction due to alliance system • Russia, Germany, France, and finally Britain (major powers directly involved)
MAJOR NATIONS INVOLVED IN WAR • Allies • Great Britain, France, Russia (until 1918), Serbia, Japan, Italy (1915), U.S. (1917) • Central Powers • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire
INITIALLY NOT SEENAS A MAJOR WAR • Most believe it will be over quickly • Patriotic fervor sweeps Europe
SCHLIEFFEN PLAN • Quick victory in France; then turn on Russia • “Paris for lunch; dinner in St. Petersburg” • Does not turn out that way • Why not? • With help from Belgium, and Russian attack; France and Britain are able to mobilize and halt German advance at Battle of the Marne
WESTERN FRONT • Trench Warfare; basically a stalemate • Why? • New Technology (weapons); too costly to use old battle tactics
EASTERN FRONT • Russians had to mobilize (outdated army) • German forces Russian retreat (Tannenberg) • Russians sign treaty in 1918 (Brest-Litovsk) • Why? • Revolution (1917)
UNITED STATES • Why does it take so long for the U.S. to enter the war? • Isolationism • Why? • Tradition (Washington, Jefferson, others) • Ethnicity (British or Germans???) • Why does U.S. finally enter the war on the Allies side? • Propaganda (mostly from British) • Sinking of the Lusitania 1915 • Unrestricted U-boat warfare • Zimmerman telegram (1917)
U.S. DECLARES WAR APRIL 6, 1917 • “World must be made safe for Democracy!” • Not well prepared (non-intervention) • Americans turn the tide of war • Change way war is waged • “Devil Dogs” (Marines)
ARMISTICE • November 11, 1918 at 11:00 am “Eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” • German economy in poor shape • New Leadership (Weimar Republic) surrenders – • Revolution (Hitler’s “November Criminals”)
Short Term Consequences of War • Death- 30 million people • Slaughter, disease, starvation • Destruction • Farmland, homes, and villages • Economic Impact • National treasuries drained; debt figures vary – much owed to U.S. (creditor nation v. debtor nation) • Psychological Effect- despair, insecurity
Long Term Consequences • Peace Process (Versailles Treaty) • Big Four dominate proceedings • Wilson – U.S. (14 Points) • Wilson had attempted earlier to negotiate peace settlement – a “peace without victory” • Clemenceau – France (Punish Germany!) • David Lloyd George – G.B. (punish but more moderate than Clemenceau) • Orlando – Italy (Land) • End Result = Germans must pay!! • Their excuse for not listening to Wilson? • U.S. had not sacrificed as much as other Allies
Long Term Consequences (cont.) • Treaty creates bitterness and resentment • Germany- as a result of Versailles Treaty: • Must accept full responsibility for the War • Must pay war reparations (severe) • Loses territory (Alsace/Lorraine and other) • Military limited (100,000 man army) • Italy – did not gain territory • League of Nations • U.S. does not join • Why not? • Only Senate has power to declare war not League of Nations • World Wide Economic Crisis (Depression) • Belfour Declaration - Zionism