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Lecture 3: The Legacy of the First World War 7 February 2012

HIST2133. The Weimar Republic through Documents, 1918-1933. Lecture 3: The Legacy of the First World War 7 February 2012. Main causes of WW I. Conflicts generated by power politics within Europe Armament race of great European powers Anglo-German naval rivalry

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Lecture 3: The Legacy of the First World War 7 February 2012

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  1. HIST2133. The Weimar Republic through Documents, 1918-1933 Lecture 3: The Legacy of the First World War 7 February 2012

  2. Main causes of WW I • Conflicts generated by power politics within Europe • Armament race of great European powers • Anglo-German naval rivalry • Difficulties of multi-national A-H (Habsburg Empire) • European alliances turn from defensive to offensive • Russia’s Balkan policy • Hasty mobilisations and ultimatums caused by preconceived plans of military operations

  3. July Crisis, 1914 Assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Bosnian-Serb nationalist • Unconditional G loyalty to A-H • Reassurance of F alliance with R Chain reactions : • Ultimatum of A-H to S and declaration of war • General mobilisation of R + A-H • G mobilisation and declaration of war on R + France and invasion of B (Schlieffen Plan) • GB ultimatum to G + declaration of war • Declarations of war by S ≠ A-H, A-H ≠ Russia, F ≠ A-H, GB ≠ A-H, J ≠ G, R + GB + F ≠ T – later: I ≠ A-H + T (1915), I ≠ G (1916), R ≠ A-H (1916)

  4. Question of responsibility for WW I • Mutual distrust among European powers • Belief that limited EU war could not be avoided • Limited freedom of decision on part of leading statesmen • Peoples’ willingness to arm to ensure own nation’s security

  5. Major German War Aims • Central Powers: G + A-H + I (until 1915/6) Entente Powers: GB + F + R + I (since 1915/6) • Domination of B through annexation of important parts • Economic unity of ‘Central Europe’ incl. satellite states (PL + RO) • Enlargement of G colonial possessions • Elimination of GB rule and influence from Morocco to India • Separatepeace with R

  6. Stab-in-the-back legend (Dolchstoßlegende) Widely believed notion in right-wing circles, after 1918: • German Army did not lose WW I • Army betrayed by civilians on the home front, esp. republicans who overthrew monarchy • Advocates denounced German government leaders who signed Armistice on 11 Nov 1918, as "November Criminals"

  7. Versailles Peace Treaty, 1919 • 27 victorious powers ‘Big 4’: US, GB, F, I • No defeated powers present Contents of Treaty (440 articles): • League of Nations • New frontiers of G • G rights in foreign countries and its colonies • Reparations on basis of determination of G war guilt

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