The great war & Its Aftermath

1. The great war & Its Aftermath (1914-1918) “The War to End all Wars” Sudarshan Gupta Asstt. Professor Deptt. of History Radhamadhab College

2. The First World War: The Two Power Camps Central Powers: Allied Powers: France Great Britain Italy Japan Russia (Exit 1917) United States (Entry 1917) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire (Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arab & Iraq) Bulgaria

3. European Alliances in 1914

4. Causes of the War • Historians have traditionally cited four long-term causes of the First World War • NATIONALISM – a devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation • IMPERIALISM– Economic and political control over weaker nations • MILITARISM– The growth of nationalism and imperialism led to increased military spending • ALLIANCE SYSTEM – By 1907 Europe was divided into two armed camps

5. Nationalism • Often nationalism led to rivalries and conflicts between nations. Additionally, various ethnic groups resented domination by others and wanted independence. Finally, Russia and Austria-Hungary disagreed over the treatment of Serbs in central Europe. Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary while Russia, France and Britain were partners

6. Imperialism • For many centuries, European nations built empires. Colonies supplied raw materials and provided markets for manufactured goods. As Germany industrialized, she competed with other nations and colonies made her more competitive.

7. Major Colonies • Triple Entente • France- Vietnam, Parts of Africa • England- Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Canada, S. America • Triple Alliance • Germany- Africa, Parts of Asia

8. Militarism • Empires had to be defended and European nations increased military spending enormously in the late 19th and early 20th century. • By 1890 the strongest nation militarily in Europe was Germany • Germany had a strong army and built up a navy to rival England’s fleet. • France, Italy, Japan and the United States quickly joined in the naval buildup.

9. Battleships were being stockpiled by European nations, Japan, and America in the late 19th and early 20th century

11. TRIPLE ENTENTE FRANCE BRITAIN RUSSIA Alliance System • By 1907 there were two major defence alliances in Europe • The Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia • The Triple Alliance, later known as the Central Powers, consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Soon joined by the Ottoman Empire)

13. Leaders Triple Alliance Kaiser Wilhelm II(Germany) Franz Joseph I (Austria-Hungary) Vittorio Orlando (Italy) Triple Entente David Lloyd George (England) Raymond Poincare (France) Czar Nicholas II(Russia)

14. The Spark: An Assassination • The Balkan region was considered “the powder keg of Europe” due to competing interests in the area. Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea. Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary, which had taken control of Bosnia in 1878, accused Serbia of subverting its rule over Bosnia. • Finally, in June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne was gunned down by a Serbia radical igniting a diplomatic crisis.

15. The Spark: An Assassination Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

16. The Spark: An Assassination The Black Hand Terrorists Murdered Ferdinand

17. Summer of 1914 Triple Entente/Triple Alliance Actions • July 23rd Austria Hungary Presents Serbia with an ultimatum • July 28th Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia • July 29th Russia Mobilizes its troops • August 1, 1914 Germany mobilizes troops.

18. Summer of 1914 Triple Entente/Triple Alliance Actions • August 2nd Germany declares war on Russia Germany invades Poland and Luxemburg, invasion of France starts • August 3: Germany declares war on France • August 4: Germany declares war on Belgium and invades it, • August 4:England declares war on Germany • August 5: Austria declares war on Russia and Great Britain

19. The First World War: The Two Power Camps Central Powers: Allied Powers: France Great Britain Italy Japan Russia (Exit 1917) United States (Entry 1917) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire (Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arab & Iraq) Bulgaria

21. By the end of 1914, not only Europe was at war, but also all of Europe’s colonies in Asia, Africa and South America were involved in this deadly war.

22. In 1914, most Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away – they wanted neutrality.Some simply did not want their sons to experience the horror of warfare. Some German-Americans supported Germany in World War I. However, many Americans felt closer to the British because of a shared ancestry and language. Most importantly, American economic interests were far stronger with the Allies. US Exports to both sides:

24. What did it take to get the US involved? • US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico, • It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance • Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a declaration of war

25. Poster Fight • This type of posters helped USA to convince the people of their country that the war was a good idea…… (Gender bias!!!!)

26. Poster Fight French propaganda poster portrayed the Germans as inhuman.

27. Poster Fight

28. Poster Fight

29. After 2 ½ years of fighting, the Allied forces were exhausted. One of the main contributions of the Americans was fresh and enthusiastic troops. American infantry were nicknamed “doughboys” because of their white belts. Most doughboys had never ventured far from the farms or small towns they lived in

30. Important New Weapons • Machine Guns:Guns could now fire 600 rounds per minute. • The Tank:New steel tanks ran on caterpillar treads. • Airplanes:Early dogfights resembled duals, however by 1918 the British had a fleet of planes that could deliver bombs. • Poison Gas:Mustard gas was used to subdue the enemy.

31. Other Weapons & Equipment • Howitzers • Flame throwers • Torpedoes • U-boats • Phosphorus grenades • Field phones • Search lights • Gas masks • Camouflage • Railroad guns • Blimps

32. German U-boat sinking a British commercial steamer

33. Both humans and animals were susceptible to the effects of poison gas. Dogs were used during World War I as sentries, sled dogs, pack animals, and messengers.

34. Soldiers would protect themselves using Gas Masks

36. French Soldiers Attacking a German Trench (Trench Warfare)

40. Approximate Comparative Losses in World War I

41. “The War to End all Wars” America

42. Smoke rises after an attack of Israeli aircraft in the South of Gaza City

45. Please don’t kill me

46. Let us try once to be humane

47. I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier I brought him up to be my pride and joy Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder, To shoot some other mother’s darling boy?

48. We want ROSES and not GUNS