The Great War

1. CH 22 The Great War

2. Background and Causes • The causes of WWI are usually put into four MAIN categories: • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism

3. Militarism • “the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests” • Governments place a high emphasis on military expansion

4. Militarism • After 1871 alliances lead to an armaments race • Became increasingly serious between 1900 and 1914. • Military expenditures increased dramatically • France 10%, Britain 13%, Russia 39% • Germany being the most militaristic at 73%

5. Militarism • Conscription- Compulsory enlistment for state service; typically military • Also known as draft • All continental powers had enforced conscription system after 1870 • France since the Revolutionary Wars • A-H by 1868 • Germany since 1870 • Italy since 1873 • Russia since 1874 • Great Britain did not have a conscription system

8. France vs. Germany • Franco-Prussian War • After war Bismarck wanted to keep France isolated and weak • Began building a strong army and navy to do so • Seeing what Germany was doing France started building a strong military as well • Both built massive militaries to protect against one another

9. Britain vs. Germany • Germany very critical about the Boer Wars • 1895 Kaiser William II sent telegram to Boer president congratulating them on their stand against the Brits. • Naval rivalry top concern among these two countries • In 1897 the Reichstag allocated funds to speed up naval expansion • British response was the Dreadnought

11. Russia • Russo-Japanese War • After defeat started to rebuild military • Wanted strong military to control interest in the Balkans

12. Alliances • Agreement made between two or more countries to come to the aid if one needs help. • Secret alliances sprouted all over Europe starting in the late 1800’s

13. Alliances • Alliances in the late 1800’s hinged on: • German and French enmity • Competing interests in the Balkans by A-H and Russia • Germany’s fear of being attacked from both east and west

15. Germany and A-H vs. Russia • Germany enjoyed good relations with Russia • 1873 Bismarck forged the Three Emperors’ League • Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) • In 1881 Serbia signed the Austro-Serbian Alliance • Why would Serbia sign this alliance if it looked to Russia for leadership?

17. Germany and A-H vs. Russia • 1879 fearing Russia, Germany and A-H forged the Dual Alliance. • This alliance became a central factor of European diplomacy for the next thirty-five years. • 1882 Italy joins into an alliance with Germany and A-H • Known as The Triple Alliance • G and A-H wanted to keep Italy from joining with Russia

19. Germany Encircled • The last thing Germany wanted was and alliance between France and Russia. • Despite the political differences factors drew Russia and France together. • Both faced diplomatic isolation • Cultural ties between France and Russian aristocracy was still strong. • In 1890, Bismarck dismissed by William II. • 1894 France and Russia agree to the Franco-Russian Alliance.

20. Great Britain • Great Britain had been diplomatically isolated until around 1901. • After the Russo-Japanese War; Britain worried more about Germany than Russia. • The Entente Cordiale (1904) was reached between Great Britain and France. • Eliminated tension between the two powers

22. The Moroccan Crisis (1905) • France had interest in Morocco • Germany only had commercial interest • William II decided to test the new agreement between F and GB. • French gov’t reacted with fury but backed down. • Algeciras Conference (1906) • Forced Germany to recognize French interest in Morocco • Brought Russia and GB closer together

24. The Triple Entente • Russia joined with France and GB in 1907 • Feared Germany’s expansion of Army as well as, A-H. • Unlike the Triple Alliance they were not required to come to the aid if another was attacked. • It was a moral obligation to protect each other.

26. Imperialism • Scramble for Africa- Push to gain control over parts of Africa. • The Balkans • Asia

27. Nationalism • Nationalism- intense pride in one’s country or culture. • East Europe becomes a hot box of nationalism before World War 1.

29. The Balkan Tinderbox • The Balkans becomes the key to maintaining peace in Europe. • In 1897 Russia and Austria-Hungary agreed informally to respect the status quo in the region. • In 1903 a revolution led to the assassination of the king and queen of Serbia. • Russia quickly recognized the new king hoping Pan-Slav ideas would dominate. • A-H fearing this would drive Serbia closer to Russia, recognized the fait accompli

30. The Balkan Tinderbox • Relations between Serbia and A-H deteriorated when Serbia tried to lessen its economic dependence. • Signed a commercial treaty with Bulgaria • A-H responded by banning the import of Serbian livestock • 1906 and economic battle known as the “Pig War”

31. Instability in Turkey • Political instability caused Russia and A-H desire for the Balkans to increase. • In 1894-1895 the Turkish Sultan had about 200,000 Armenians murdered. • Done because of Armenian nationalism encouraged by Russia • In 1908 a group known as the “Young Turks” lead a revolt against the Sultan

33. Bosnia • Turkish instability lead to the Bosnian Crisis of 1908. • At Congress of Berlin 1878 A-H started to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. • October of 1908 after Bulgaria declared its independence A-H annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Feared that the Young Turks would inspire a revolt

34. Bosnia • The annexation was a clear violation of the agreement of the Congress of Berlin. • Russian and Serbia responded with fury. • Strained relations with Italy • War was avoided with the help of Archduke Francis Ferdinand. • Russia drew closer to Britain. • Serbian nationalist groups like the “Black Hand” gained support in the area.

35. The Balkan Wars • Italy provided a kindling for another flare up. • 1911 they invaded Libya which became known as the Tripoli War • France agreed to the invasion if Italy would recognized their influence in Morocco. • The Balkan League formed in 1912 • First Balkan War lasted less than a month with victory for the League.

36. The Balkan Wars

37. The Balkan Wars • Germany didn’t want any Balkan state to become too strong in fear of nationalist uprisings. • The Treaty of London of May 1913 • The Second Balkan War – fought between Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece. • As a result of the Peace of Bucharest Germany readied its military.

38. The Spark • Archduke Francis Ferdinand- heir to the Habsburg throne. • More sympathy to South Slavs problems than being pro-Germany. • Disliked by the Hungarians • On June 28, 1914 Gavrilo Princip shot and killed the Archduke and his wife in Sarajevo.

39. The Ultimatum • A-H took this assassination as a chance to crush Serbia. • William II urged retaliation blaming Serbia for the assassination • Germany offers A-H what is known as the “blank check” • A-H sends Serbia an Ultimatum July 23, 1914.

40. Germany’s plan for war • 1905 Alfred von Schlieffen creates the “Schlieffen Plan” • This was to solve the German fear of fighting on two fronts. • Wanted to attack France quickly taking them out. • After defeat of the French turn towards fighting Russia in the West.

41. France’s plan for the War • France had its version of the Schlieffen Plan • Called the “Plan XVII” • France would send two different armies to fight Germany. • Unlike Germany, France didn’t have to worry about fighting a two front war.

42. Serbia’s Answer • With Russian backing Serbia mobilized its military on July 25, 1914. • Serbia agreed to all the conditions of A-H ultimatum except for one thing. • A-H wanted to be part of the investigation into the “Serb” plot behind the assassination of the Archduke. • A-H would not accept anything but total compliance.

43. And so the war begins…. • July 28, 1914 exactly one month after the assassination of the Archduke A-H declares war on Serbia. • A-H plots a plan to make it look like its Russia’s fault if Europe goes to war. • Britain still hesitant to join due to problems at home

44. And so the war begins…. • August 1- Germany declares war on Russia. • August 3- Germany declares war on France • August 4- Great Britain declares war on Germany when they invaded Belguim

45. Opening Stages of the War • The Schlieffen Plan was put into effect early in August of 1914. • Both sides underestimated each others capabilities. • Russia quick mobilization causes Germany to send troops east. • Germany gets within 35 miles of Paris • France signs a secret treaty with Italy.

46. Opening stages of the war • In November 1914, the last open battle on the western front takes place. • Ypres, Belgium British forces stop Germany from reaching the French Channel. • Neither side could make any advances and a stalemate occurs. • The start of Trench Warfare begins at this time.

48. Trench Warfare • Spades and barbed wire become more important to the fight than rifles. • Over 6,000 miles of trenches were dug by both sides in France. • Life in the trenches was not an easy one. • Had to deal with rats and lice, as well as, enemy sniper and artillery fire. • New weapons introduced during this time presented even bigger obstacles for the troops that would “go over the top”

50. New Weapons • New weapons that had never been used on a wide scale during war are introduced. • Examples: machine guns, tanks, air planes, gas.