The Great War The “War to End All Wars” World War I (1920) The First Half of the Thirty Years War

1. The Great WarThe “War to End All Wars”World War I (1920)The First Half of the Thirty Years War 1914 – 1918 1914 - 1945

2. World War I or The Great War was a major war centered on Europe that began in the summer of 1914. The fighting ended in November 1918. This conflict involved all of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. More than 70 million military personnel were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history. More than 9 million combatants were killed due to technological advances in firepower without corresponding advances in mobility. It was the second deadliest conflict in history.

4. Was World War I a “moral crusade”?

5. Can any war be considered “moral”?

6. Will Capitalism undo itself by generating the conditions for self-destruction?

7. The Great War “Words fail to give any conception of the desolation. No convulsion of Nature could have done what man and man’s machines have done. We bumped our way along a partly repaired road…passing craters from those 10 to those 30 feet across, and some almost as deep; passing rows and rows of old wire entanglements, communications trenches, line upon line of fighting trenches, all more or less obliterated. Finally past the German first line, barely recognizable except for the fact that the entrances to the dugouts now faced east instead of west…….”

8. The Great War “It was an upheaval of sandbags, accoutrements, broken rifles not worth salvaging, entrenching tools, cartridge clips and machine-gun ribbons, food tins, water bottles, helmets, trench mortars, unexploded shells of every size, hand grenades, to which we give a wide berth, a human tibia exhumed from somewhere, bits of clothing---and often smells, though two moths have given ample time for burials. What may be in the bottom of the pits, however, one can only guess…the whole western side of the slope was seething with people making new roads and engaging in the ant-like activity of man when he too burrows and builds and carries up food and takes away grains of sand.”

9. Why Fight? • “Statesmen fight for lofty goals and abstract ideals.” – Pamela Crossley • Germany: defended the cause of civilization against Slavic barbarism, French decadence and British greed. • British, French and Americans: all fought to “make the world safe for democracy” against German militarism. • By 1918, these lofty goals had been outlived by reality • In reality, the war was not a moral crusade, but a power struggle between European Nations.

10. Why Fight? • Soldiers • Moral responsibility (pretext) • Civic duty and Nationalism (usually exacerbated by the press) • Heroism and Glorification of Warfare • Conscription • Employment • Underestimation of the magnitude and severity of warfare

11. Underestimation • “No one understood the magnitude of the guns of August.”– Lynn Lees By 1918, 60 declarations of war had been made SOLDIERS INVOLVED: 65,038,810 MILITARY DEATHS: 8,020,780 CIVILIAN DEATHS: 6,642,633 MILITARY WOUNDED: 21,228,813

12. Modernity and the 20th Century • Human Progress… • Growing Literacy • Inexpensive Newspapers • Industrialization • Transportation Revolution • Accumulated Wealth • Bureaucracy • Growth of Nations (Consolidation) • Technology! Shall we call it a benefit or a burden?

13. Modernity and the 20th Century • “Human Progress causes Health Risks.” – John Servos • Growing Literacy: Development of Patriotism • Inexpensive Newspapers: Propaganda and misinformation • Railroads: trade, mobilization • Industrialization: weaponry • Wealth: Armories • Bureaucracy: Management of objectives • Growth of Nations: Armies of Millions

14. What were the effects of the Franco Prussian War? • What is meant by the “balance lf power in Europe”? • Describe the major European countries in 1900.

15. Franco Prussian War • Following the Napoleonic Wars (1815) there were 39 separate Germanic states • Austria and Prussia were the two largest of the Germanic states • Prussia, under the leadership of Otto Von Bismarck, sought to consolidate the Germanic States “The Honest Broker”

17. Franco Prussian War • France was defeated in a humiliating fashion • At Sedan, 80,000 Frenchmen surrendered • At Metz, 150,000 Frenchmen surrendered • Paris was seized due to a two month blockade

18. Franco Prussian War • France lost the territories of Alsace-Lorraine (Germanic speaking) • France had to pay 5,000 million marks • Prussia gained “right of occupation” • King of Prussia was proclaimed the German Emperor • France developed a new movement known as revanche

19. Revanche “”From tomorrow, France will have only one thought: to reconstitute its forces, gather its energy, feed its sacred anger, raise its generation…form an army of the whole people, work relentlessly to study the processes and talents of our enemies, to become again the great France, the France of 1792, the France of the idea and the sword…Then suddenly one day it will rise…regain Lorraine, recapture Alsace.” – French Poet Victor Hugo, 1871

20. Franco Prussian War • Other Consequences: • Germany was a new world power (along with Britain, France, Russia and Austria) • The Balance of Power had been disrupted • Germany had the potential to be dominant • Major mistrust began regarding power • The War taught the European nations that “Military Modernization” was the key to strength and survival • Rapid mobilization • Fast deployment • Conscription • Well educated Armies • Efficient employment of resources

21. Status of European Countries • Germany and the “German Question” • Democratic Monarchy • Major Industrial Power: surpassed Britain in steel output • Population soared from 49 to 66 million • Major separation between owner, middle class and working class • Prussian land-owners (Junkers) dominated politics • Germany now had a major demand for markets and resources

23. Status of European Countries • France • Democratic Republic (extensive civil liberties) • Extremely wealthy nation • Large empire • Huge gold reserves • Politics were divided between the pacifist left wing and the revanchist right • Government lacked continuity due to swinging between left and right • Right Wing wished greatly to reclaim Alsace Lorraine • Wished for an Alliance to “contain Germany”

24. Status of European Countries • Britain • Parliamentary Democracy • First European power to undergo the the Industrial Revolution • Vast overseas empire • By 1900, Britain was being outpaced in industrialization • Strong working class discontent (voting allowed for flexibility and forgiveness) • Foreign policy of “splendid isolation” • Prevent a disruption of trade • Britain’s main goals were to maintain overseas colonies, preserve the balance of power and defend trade routes

25. Status of European Countries • Austria-Hungary • Political dual-monarchy • Nationalist rivalries plagued the nation as each state wished for independence • German, Serbian, Croatian, Romanian, etc… • Lacked military strength • Serbia was a constant sore • Russia supported independence movements

26. Status of European Countries • Russia • Autocratic divine monarchy • Majority of Russians were peasants • Farming methods were obsolete • Several worker revolutions occurred, ending with violence • Russo Japanese War humiliated Russia • Minor democratic processes were brought in • Russia had a huge population, but was very diverse • Russia had a weak military

27. Status of European Countries • Turkey, “The Sick Man of Europe” • Ottoman Empire was in major decline • Nationalists and Islamic groups created major revolts • Divisions over religion and nationalities • The “Eastern Question” • As the Ottoman Empire declined, there would be a power vacuum • European powers waited for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire

28. The Will to Make War • Warfare was being glorified throughout Europe • Literature, education and the press all assured the thought that a war would be short and heroic • Stories of National heroes (fictional stories) • History lessons in the classroom promoted nationalism • “Home before the leaves fall” • Exaggeration of international incidents • Right Wing Pressure groups • Pan-Germanic League • Action Francaise • Revanche

29. “Any man who encourages warfare is a man who has limited experience on the subject and limited understanding of the implications.”

30. Militarism Created a Hostile Environment • Military Spending in Europe increased up to 300% in the years leading up to 1914 • The foregone Balance of Power • New Technology • Deterrence • Alliance systems caused tensions • Increased population (better health care) • Naval Race

31. Bismarck’s Alliances • Three Emperors’ League: • Joined Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary • Dual Alliance: • Previous Treaty collapsed • Joined Austria and Germany • Assistance to each other if Russia attacked • Three Emperors’ Alliance: • Russia turned back to Germany • If Germany, Russia or Austria went to war, the others would remain neutral

32. Bismarck’s Alliances • Triple Alliance: • Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy • If any were attacked, the others would lend assistance • Reinsurance Treaty: • Triple Alliance fell apart, again • Alliance bonded Germany and Russia • Avoid a two-front war

33. Kaiser Wilhelm II • Kaiser Wilhelm II came to power in Germany • Immediately replaced Otto von Bismarck with a new Chancellor, Caprivi • Reinsurance Treaty was allowed to collapse • Russia formed an alliance with France • Germany began pursuing a “place in the sun” under a new policy of weltpolitik • Avoid social problems at home (rise of socialism)

34. Weltpolitik “I hope Europe will gradually come to realize the fundamental principle of my policy: leadership in the peaceful sense – a sort of Napoleonic Supremacy…I am of the opinion that it is already a success that I, having come to govern at so early an age, stand at the head of German armed might yet have left my sword in its scabbard and have given up Bismarck’s policy of externally causing disruption to replace it with a peaceful foreign situation such as we have not known for many years.”

35. War Plans • All European countries had detailed plans regarding potential wars • German Schlieffen Plan • “Let the last man on the right brush the channel with his sleeve” • To counter the “encirclement” • Surround Paris • Pass Through Belgium • Attack Russia after conquering France • Russia could not respond quickly

36. War Plans • France’s Plan 17 • Immediately take over the Rhine • Russia’s Plan • Attacking Austria-Hungary and Germany simultaneously • Austria Hungary • Plan R • Plan B • Great Britain • “Watch and See”

38. “The next war will start because of some damn fool thing in the Balkans.” – Otto Von Bismarck

39. The Spark that lit the “Balkan Powder Keg” • Optimism was prevalent in Europe in 1914 • Previous Balkan issues had been settled without major conflict • Optimism gives way to a false sense of security • 28 June 1914 • Austria-Hungarian heir visited Sarajevo, Bosnia • GavriloPrincip, member of the Black Hand, shot and killed Franz Ferdinand • The objective was to unite all Slavs

40. The Immediate Cause • Austria Hungary sought “alliance re-assurement” with Germany • The Kaiser and his Chancellor responded….

41. The “Blank Cheque” “…the Kaiser authorized me to inform our gracious majesty that we might in this case, as in all others, rely upon Germany’s full support…he did not doubt in the least that Herr von BethmannHollweg would agree with him. Especially as far as our action against Serbia was concerned. But it was Wilhelm’s opinion that this action must not be delayed. Russia’s attitude will no doubt be hostile, but to this he has for years been prepared, and should a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia be unavoidable, we might be convinced that Germany, our old faithful ally, would stand at our side….

42. The “Blank Cheque” • …Russia at the time was in no way prepared for war, and would think twice before it appealed to arms…if we had really recognized the necessity of warlike action against Serbia, he would regret it if we did not make use of the present moment which is all in our favor…”

43. The Immediate Cause • Austria-Hungary’s Reaction • Postponed for one month • Mistake of hesitation • A-H appeared to be scheming • Sent an ultimatum that was “unreasonable” • Serbia agreed to the ultimatum with the exception of one provision • “the Serbian response removed the casus belli” – Kaiser Wilhelm II • Austria Hungary declared war

44. The Alliances Unfold • 30 July 1914, Russia mobilized towards Austria Hungary • 1 August 1914, Germany mobilized and sent an ultimatum to France • Either declare neutrality or suffer from German invasion • France responded, “we will follow our own interests.” • Germany then declared war upon France and began to march through Belgium • Britain chose to uphold an 1839 Alliance with Belgium to protect their neutrality

45. Guilt • Great Britain • Serbia • Austria Hungary • Belgium • Russia • France • Italy • Turkey (Ottoman Empire)

46. Guilt…by Country • Germany • The Blank Cheque (encouragement) • Underestimated the will of the Allies to fight • Believed that if A-H had mobilized quickly, Russia would not have defended Serbia • Supported an ally • Paranoid from the “encirclement theory” • Tried to gain a “place in the sun” • Preventing Russia from becoming the new “powerhouse” • Victory would bring popularity to the Kaiser • War would distract the growing socialist movement

47. Guilt…by Country • Austria-Hungary • Wanted to eliminate the growth of a “Greater Serbia” • Delayed response to Serbia was a symptom of their desire to make war • Ultimatum was too severe • Ultimatum had an expiration period of 48 hours • Mobilized before conferring with Russia

48. Guilt…by Country • Russia • Attempted to salvage it’s image from previous wars • Strongly encouraged Serb Nationalism to weaken the Central Powers • Mobilized, knowing of the Blank Cheque

49. Guilt…by Country • France • “Was swept into the War” • Revanchist Movement • Seized an opportunity since Germany was already at War • A strike to pull down the rise of German dominance

50. Guilt…by Country • Great Britain • Sir Edmund Gray, the foreign secretary, encouraged the war • Britain never warned Germany that they would stand shoulder to shoulder with France • Britain was slow in the game, waiting to see the alliances unfold