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World War I. A war to end all wars…?. World War I- The Great War. Underlying Causes “MANIA”. M ilitarism A lliances N ationalism I mperialism A narchy (international). Militarism: Glorification of War & Military. Build up of large reserve armies
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World War I A war to end all wars…?
Underlying Causes“MANIA” • Militarism • Alliances • Nationalism • Imperialism • Anarchy (international)
Militarism: Glorification of War & Military • Build up of large reserve armies • Mobilization - organize resources for combat (triggers other nations mobilizing) • Naval Expansion - William II (GR) fires Bismarck and expands navy • wants to be equal to G.B. (most powerful) • G.B. feels threatened, expands, develops new battleship - Dreadnought
AlliancesDefense Agreements Among Nations • Three Emperors’ League: (1881) Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary - doesn’t last b/c of A-H rivalry with Russia in Balkans • Triple Alliance - (1882) Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary - attempt to isolate France • Triple Entente - (1907) France, Russia, G.B.Entente: Friendly understanding between nations
NationalismExtreme Pride in One’s Nation or Desire to Form a Nation • French Nationalists soughtrevengeagainst Germanyforloss ofAlsace-Lorraine • Slavic Nationalism - Pan-Slavism: Unify all Slavic people under one empire
Imperialismdomination of one country by another • Germany and France came close to war over control of Morocco • Germany wanted to create Berlin to Baghdad Railway - caused resentment among British and Russians • British feared interference with India and reduce traffic thru Suez Canal
Anarchy • International Anarchy • Nations of Europe pursue policies without regard for the wishes of their neighbors • Crisis - No international organization to monitor
Immediate Causes of WWI • Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinandof A-H (June 28, 1914) byGavrilo Princip - member ofSerbian nationalist group“Black Hand”
Why the Assassination? • Ferdinand planned to give Slavs of Bosnia-Herzegovina a voice in the gov’t equal to that of Austro-Hungarians • This threatened the movement for a separate Slavic state
What Happens Next? • A-H hold Serbians responsible • A-H seeks assurance (backup) from Germany in event of war • Germany issues “Blank Check” to A-H • William II gives full support to any actions A-H might take against Serbia
Tensions Build!! • A-H issues ultimatum (set of final conditions that must be accepted to avoid severe consequences) to Serbia • Demands that Serbia allow A-H officials into country to suppress all subversive movements & conduct investigation • Gives Serbia 48 hours to agree or face war • Serbia does not agree to all parts • A-H declares war on Serbia! (July 28, 1914)
Declarations of War • Germany declares war on Russia (Aug 1, 1914) • Germany declares war on France (Aug 3, 1914) • Great Britain still hoped to remain neutral and not go to war, but…
Germany Invades Belgium! • Germany demands passage across Belgium to fight France (*Part of Schlieffen Plan) • British protest demand made by Germany upon neutral nation of Belgium • 1839 Treaty signed by G.B., Russia, France & Germany guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality
Germany invades Belgium • G.B. demands they withdraw • Germany responds calling treaty, “a scrap of paper” • G.B. declares war on Germany (Aug 4, 1914)
*The Schlieffen Plan • Germany’s invasion of Belgium was part of this plan • Germany had enemies to East & West & did not want to fight a war on both fronts at the same time • Believed Russia would be slow to mobilize and that they could fight & defeat France (W. Front) first in 6 weeks & then fight Russia on Eastern Front • THE RACE TO THE SEA!
Expectations • Both sides thought the war would be a quick ordeal… • Kaiser told his soldiers, “you’ll be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees.” • They underestimated the role industrialization would play in this war. French troops marched off shouting, “We’ll be home by Christmas”
United states in the War • Lusitania • Zimmerman Telegram
The British government wanted to encourage men to enlist for war. They said the war would be safe, hardly any fighting, a good lark and over by Christmas. They used advertising posters to encourage this idea! A picture of soldiers going ‘Over the Top’
Soldiers were expected to carry all of their equipment with them at all times. They were supposed to keep it clean and in good condition – they were British after all.
How the uniform and equipment changed after just three weeks in the trenches…
Posters always showed men ready and willing to fight. They never showed the boredom of the trenches or actual fighting taking place. Why do you think the government showed no fighting? What hidden message is in this image?
No smiling and relaxed faces… No clean uniforms… Their equipment is scattered everywhere… Boredom and sleep are obvious…
The soldiers had very little decent food, and what food they had was often attacked by rats. These rats were the size of small rabbits and badgers because they had fed on the decomposing bodies of dead soldiers.
German Surrender • On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month the war comes to an end (November 11, 1918), as Germany accepts an armistice. • Allies meet to discuss a treaty.
The Treaty of Versailles with Germany The Big Four-all had different allied objectives
David Lloyd George-Great Britain • Prime minister who wanted to expand Britain's Colonial Empire, preserve its naval and industrial supremacy and make Germany pay for the war.
Georges Clemenceau • French Premier • Wanted to ensure security against future German invasion • Weaken Germany by imposing military limitations, financial payments, and territorial losses.
Vittorio Orlando • Premier of Italy • Sought to enlarge Italy's territory in Europe and expand its empire overseas
Woodrow Wilson • President of the United States • Sought to provide a just and lasting peace and create a better world by implementing the Fourteen Points*
*Fourteen Points-Wilson’s Plan for a Lasting Peace • 1. Open covenants (treaties) of peace openly arrived at. • 2. Freedom of the seas • 3. Removal of international trade barriers (such as tariffs). • 4. Reduction of armaments • 5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims with regard for the interests of native peoples
Fourteen Points Cont. • 6-13. Adjustment of European boundaries in accordance with the principle of nationality, that is, the right of any national group to self-determination regarding its own government and independent state. • 14. Establishment of a League of Nations to handle international disputes. • European nations approved of the 14 Points only sparingly because of their nations interests.
Treaty of Versailles • Of Wilson’s Fourteen Points, only a few were taken seriously. • One of them was the League of Nations, • What others were taken seriously?
Differing Views of the Treaty • Arguments Against: a harsh treaty that planted the seeds of WWII- The treaty transferred German-inhabited territory, seized all colonies of Germany, and compelled Germany to accept sole war guilt. It forced Germany to be unarmed while other nations remained armed, and it wounded German pride. By attacking the treaty the Nazi party gained support of the German people, achieved power, and brought on WWII.