World War I (McKay Text)

1. World War I(McKay Text)

2. World War I was a ‘Total War’ (IB term) • A war in which the opponents mobilize all available societal resources –( economic, industrial, military, human, political/ideological) – in the war effort (IB 13) • In “Total War” no weapon is ‘off-limits’. Few rules of war remain – civilians can be targeted. No thought is given to blockades that cause civilians to starve. In WWI , at first, there were a few qualms about submarine warfare. • “Total War” places tremendous ‘emotional demands’ on a population . The casualties in World War were staggering. Few families in Europe were not directly impacted by a close relatives death. Children, wives, parents, were all touched by this war. • Public transportation in France, until fairly recently, reserved seating for WW I injured

3. Origins of World War I • European leaders failed to permanently and peacefully incorporate Imperial Germany into the international system. • Bismarck was trying to accomplish this goal but was forced to resign in 1890. Kaiser Wilhelm II (William II) embarked on an aggressive foreign policy that threatened both France, Russia and Britain. This contributed to the formation of the “Triple Entente” that was directed at controlling Germany

4. Let’s look at Bismarck’s Foreign Policy • His foreign policy was initially based on, “Blood and Iron.” Bismarck was a landowning aristocratic Prussian autocrat (Old School). But, he possessed great diplomatic skill • He engineered the unification of Germany under the Prussian Monarchy. Germany became part of Prussia • Germany became the most powerful nation in Europe • Bismarck: Three quick wars: • Against Denmark • Against Austria-Hungary 1866 – Seven Weeks War • Against France 1871 – Franco-Prussian War (about five months)

5. Bismarck’s Foreign Policy after 1871 • Bismarck wanted to ‘calm the waters’. He said Germany was a ‘satisfied’ power. However, he knew that France remained bitter over their defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1871) and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine • Bismarck anticipated a future conflict with France. He avoided war by diplomatically isolating France. He tried to give France “space” as far as colonial possessions were concerned • At the same time he recognized that their was a risk of war between Czarist Russia and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire over the Balkans (see map). He recognized that Germany could be drawn into a war in the Balkans.

6. Bismarck creates the “The Three Emperors League” (1873) • Bismarck formed the Three Emperors League -Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary. He hoped this would isolate France (Britain was not concerned with Europe). He also hoped it would create harmony between A-H and Russia • After a war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire created chaos in the Balkans it was Bismarck’s steady diplomatic hand that kept British, Russian, Austrian-Hungarian calm.

7. Bismarck forms an Alliance with Austria-Hungary (A-H) • Bismarck formed a ‘defensive alliance’ with A-H (1879 – 1918). Against Russian aggression. • Italy joined the alliance in 1882 because they feared France. This alliance was known as the “TRIPLE ALLIANCE.” • Cleverly, Bismarck worked carefully to remain friendly to Russia by creating the German-Reinsurance Treaty. Each would stay neutral if the other was attacked. Germany was thinking of France and Russia was thinking of A-H!

8. Bismarck’ policies towards: Britain, France and Italy • Bismarck did nothing to annoy Britain. Britain had no particular dislike or fear of Germany or France (before 1900). Britain, like the USA, was happy to be in “Splendid Isolation.” Britain only ‘dabbled’ in European affairs if their interests were at risk. • Although France was angered by the result of the Franco-Prussian War (1871) Bismarck supported France’s colonial claims in Africa. • Yet he always kept France ‘diplomatically’ isolated.

9. In 1890 Bismarck is forced to resign What do you think? Evaluate his foreign policy? • Does there seem to be a reason for a general European war?

10. Kaiser William II (Wilhelm) German Foreign Policy takes a new direction • William II is anti-Russian and permits the Russian-German Reinsurance Treaty to lapse (Russia wanted to keep the arrangement) • France seizes the opportunity to form an alliance with Russia. It is an odd alliance because France is a democratic republic and Russia an absolute monarchy. France provides military assistance and loans. (Later this alliance will evolve into the “Triple Entente.”) • In 1907 Russia “resolves old scores” with Britain and they both sign the Anglo-Russian Agreement.

11. Kaiser William II and Britain • In general Britain had no animosity towards Prussia/Germany before William II became Kaiser. Prussia and Britain were often allies against France in previous centuries. • Britain had often quarreled with France and Russia over colonies. Germany had few colonies – so why argue. • When Bismarck was “in control” the British seemed comfortable with German hegemony in continental Europe. Britain was not viewed as “European”

12. William II succeeded in driving the British into being diplomatically ‘friendly’ to France Britain would not accept German naval parity. • After 1907 Germany (William II) decided to challenge Britain’s naval supremacy. Britain could not afford a costly ship building race but was determined to stay ahead of the German naval ship building program. The race became serious after the launching of HMS Dreadnought • Financially the British resented the arms race and became obsessed with, what they perceived, was German militarism directed at them

13. Britain and Germany: Trade Rivalry • Britain recognized that Germany and the USA were surpassing her in productivity. Yet, the British dominated world banking, shipping, and commerce. Their Empire was huge. • Britain was anxious about the future and were unwilling to accept German worldwide expansion

14. The Boar War (1899-1902) • A difficult costly war fought in South Africa (a British Colony) between the British and the early Dutch settlers (Boars). • The British won – but it wasn’t easy or pretty. Much of the world viewed the British with disfavor. • Some European nations spoke of assisting the Boars. Idiotic idea

15. Britain starts looking for friends • Britain restores civil relations with the USA. There was always good personal relationships in business and politics but there were awkward moments internationally – Canada Oregon etc. • Britain allied to Japan • Britain (Edward VII) became officially friendly to France, “Entente Cordial.” With France already allied to Russia and friendly with Britain, France had undone Bismarck’s policy of her. Britain had resolved her “problems” with Russia.

16. Germany: France and Morocco • William II and his advisors forced a crisis over French/German claims over Morocco. Germany was unwilling to compromise and was viewed as a bully • Britain honored its “friendship” with France by lending support during the international Algeciras Conference (1906) that was formed to resolve the dispute. Germany recognized that Britain was serious about the “Entente Cordiale”

17. Was increased German Paranoia Justified? • Germany feared encirclement: Russia to the East (allied to France and having settled its colonial issues with Britain (1907). France to the West (with a proven friendship with Britain). An increasingly hostile Britain (with an alliance with Japan and improving relations with the USA). • This would leave Germany and Austria-Hungary in the middle.

18. The Balkans Bismarck, as well as other skilled diplomats, knew that the greatest risk for war in Europe lay in the Balkans. The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the break-up of the Balkan region into fiercely nationalistic groups had the potential to explode into a general war. Bismarck hoped to “inoculate” Germany from any war involving Russia and Austria-Hungary that could develop in the Balkans. For example, in 1878 he worked towards an orderly transfer of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Ottoman Empire to A-H.

19. Nationalism in the Balkans Austria-Hungarian Viewpoint Russian Viewpoint Serbians are ethnically related to Russians. Serbians relied on Russia to “protect” then from the Turks or A-H. Russia also saw opportunities to increase their influence in the Balkans • The break-up of the Ottoman Empire in Eastern-Europe could give A-H an opportunity to expand their territory but it could also fuel nationalistic feelings within the A-H Empire! • Remember, Serbians lived within A-H and the Ottoman Empire

20. Make a Time-Linepages 874-876

21. What was A-H’s responsibility for the War?(McKay Text) • A-H was determined to use the assassination of Francis Ferdinand as an excuse to crush Serbia and extinguish any possibility of a pan- Serbian state that included any territory controlled by A-H. • A-H ultimatum to Serbia was intentionally unreasonable. A-H wanted a war with Serbia regardless of the seen and unseen consequences.

22. What was German Responsibility for the War?(McKay) • Why did Germany “lose control” of the situation? • True: Russia threatened A-H • But, was the “Blank Check” a mature response or even necessary? A Third Balkan War was no biggie. • Why was Germany feeling so pressured to attack France through neutral Belgium?

23. Did diplomatic failures contribute to WW I? • All European Leaders failed to incorporate Germany onto the world stage. • Bismarck tried. After his forced retirement German leadership was fearful that Germany was being surrounded by enemies and was losing power. • European leaders should have seen the German POV (Point of View) Empathy

24. Did Domestic and Social Tensions within Germany contribute to WW I • The Emperor, aristocracy, and military elite led Germany. Prussian military values were paramount in Germany. The existing social order felt threatened by socialist movements. • There were strikes in 1914 • Remember, the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 was a success and very popular with all Germans. Perhaps another quick military success would bolster the established “order.” • It failed: in 1918 the “Old Order” was swept away.

25. Did Domestic and Social Tensions within Russia and Austria contribute to the start of WW I • A similar observation could be made of the political and social elites in Czarist Russia and the Empire of A-H. • By going to war they may have believed that the “people” would cling to the established order. • They were wrong. Russia experienced defeat and revolution. A-H defeat and dismemberment.

26. Domestic and Social Tensions within Britain (Mckay) • Similar argument for Britain • Trade Union Strikes • Women’s Suffrage • The problems with Ireland • Upper Classes wanted to preserve the “Old Order” • A war could change the topic and “buy time” so that the government could, “kick the can down the road” or “Kick the ball into the tall weeds.”

27. Did Nationalism Cause WW I (McKay) • There is no question that Nationalism contributed to war – especially in the Balkans. • Nationalism contributed to the ARMS RACE and MILITARISM • The huge build-up of weapons and conscript armies increased tensions. The Naval Race between Germany and Britain was a factor • Colonial Rivalries • The Moroccan Crisis between Germany and France