World War I

1. World War I World History C. Simmons

2. Alliances and Internal Dissent • Nationalism led to alliances and increased tension • Triple Alliance (1882) – Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy • Triple Entente (1907) – France, Great Britain, and Russia • Liberal Socialist labor groups held labor strikes led to Conservatives fear of revolution

3. Militarism and Start of War • Militarism – increase in military strength, b/t 1890 and 1914 European militaries doubled in size • Conscription – forced service in military (draft) • The Balkans were starting place of war – these states struggled for independence from Ottoman Empire (Serbia in 1914)

4. Outbreak of War • June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria-Hungary) was assassinated by Black Hand in Sarajevo • July 1914 Austria-Hungary with Germany’s aid declared war on Serbia with Russia's aid • Czar Nicholas II mobilized Russian armies and on August 1, Germany declared war on Russia, on August 3, France • Britain declared war on Germany August 4 and WWI had begun

5. Discussion • What were the underlying causes of WWI? • Why did the assassination of one man lead to war between most European nations?

6. Entry of U.S. into the War • How many men enlisted or were drafted into the Army? • What percentage of those men were in combat? • How long did it take some enlistees to become officers? • How did Hoover meet the need for food? • How did the nation conserve on fuel? • How many tire sizes were there at beginning of war? At the end? • How much total money was raised by bond drives and taxes? • What was the purpose of the Creel Committee?

7. Illusions and Stalemate • The role of propaganda – ideas spread to influence public opinion • Since 1815 most European wars had lasted only a few weeks • Germany stopped outside Paris at Battle of the Marne – trench warfare • Western front turned into stalemate, no change in positions for almost four years • Eastern Front Germany defeated Russians in several battles 2.5 million Russians died, Italy broke Alliance and attacked Austria-Hungary

8. The Great Slaughter • Use of new technologies – machine gun, poison gas, tanks, flame thrower, and some air warfare for the first time • “no man’s land” – area b/t trenches, no knowledge of trench battles led to thousands getting killed • War of Attrition – each side tried to wear the other down • War spread beyond Europe: Balkans, Middle East, Pacific Islands

9. Entry of the U.S. • U.S. had neutral policy in beginning • German U-boats practiced unrestricted submarine warfare blockading Britain • 1915 Germans sank the Lusitania, killing 1,100 civilians in process • Zimmerman Telegram intercepted – sent to Mexico to try an gain Mexican support in war for Germany • In April 1917 America declared war on Germany

10. The Home Front • Total War – mobilization of industry, service sectors and draft into military, also led to food and material rationing, regulation on transportation and exports/imports • Restriction of dissent for war • Women took over several jobs that men held before the war, also gained the right to vote shortly after the war

11. Discussion • What was the illusion in Europe at beginning of the war? • How did new technologies affect war strategy? • Why did U.S. enter the war?

12. Russian Revolutions • Background • Poor war planning and strategy by Czar Nicholas II, was helped by Rasputin • Led to protest, many soldiers joined protestors • March 1912, Duma met and set up provisional government • Soviets challenged decision to keep fighting in war

13. Lenin and the Bolsheviks • Bolsheviks – small faction of Marxist Party led by Vladimir Lenin • Goal was to overthrew capitalist system violently if necessary • Made promises to people to end war, worker control of industry, transfer land to peasants, and transfer government to soviets • In 1917 Bolsheviks gain power and change name to the Communists, Lenin takes power

14. Civil War and the Communists • Opposition to the Communist were aided by Allies during war, a Civil War broke out • Red v. White armies • Reds defeated most White forces, and captured royal family, later killed them • Leon Trotsky – brilliant war planner for Reds • Communist were organized and together unlike oppisition • Cheka (secret police) created atmosphere of fear • 1921 Communist had complete control of Russia, Communist mistrusted the Allied Powers

15. Discussion • Why do communist mistrust allied nations? • How did Bolsheviks gain control in 1917?

16. Last Year of the War • 1917 the eastern front had ended as Russia had exited war, gave Germany advantage • Germans launched massive campaign until stopped at Second Battle of the Marne • 1918, 2 million American troops joined the war • Revolutions in Germany brought end to fighting (German Social Democratic Party) • Disintegration of Austria and Hungary

17. Peace Settlements • President Wilson and the “14 points” – called for peace, military reductions, independence, open treaty negotiations, League of Nations – peace keeping organization of countries • Treaty of Versailles - French demanded reparations from Germany, division of lands • U.S., Britain, and France made decisions everyone else left out.

18. Peace Settlements (cont) • Land was split up b/t different countries • Germany had no choice but to except terms • Formation of new Slavic countries • All peace treaties based on principle of self-determination, caused problems b/c of diversity in each nation • End of Ottoman Empire • WWI undermined human progress and caused further revolution and instability

19. League of Nations Rejected • How many delegations went to Versailles? • What seemed more important to the others than the League? • What region did France want to take? • What city did Italians especially want? • Why were Germans unhappy with treaty provisions? • What Senate committee most liked treaty? Least liked the treaty? • What was Wilson’s reaction to compromise offers? • What indicated that Americans were no longer interested in the League?

20. Discussion • Why did the League of nations not work in the end? What organization would the League lead to today? • Why were most Germans upset at the peace settlements?