Unit 12: World War I & Russian Revolution, 1914-1919 Overview

Global economic competition, militarism, alliance agreements, imperialism, and nationalistic sentiments led to rising tensions between world powers. Eventually, these sentiments led to World War I. During this war, Russia dropped out as a result of its own internal political revolution. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war, created a bitter Germany and a League of Nations which was doomed to fail. Unit Summary

The MAIN(E) causes of World War I were Militarism, Alliance agreements, Imperialism, Nationalistic sentiments, and global Economic competition. New technologies changed the way warfare was conducted. The failures of Russia's czarist regime led to the Bolshevik revolt and the creation of the USSR. The political, economic, and social impact of World War I would be felt for years to come and would set the stage for future conflict Big Ideas

What were the causes of WWI and which countries participated? How did technical advances make warfare more destructive? Explain the political impact of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points and the political and economic impact of the Treaty of Versailles, including changes in boundaries and the mandate system. How did the peace settlement plant the seeds for future conflict? How did Russia’s economic problems and its involvement in WWI lead to the Russian Revolution? Essential Questions

Militarism: European, American and Japanese arms build-ups increased global tensions. Alliances: 2 major political/military alliances at the start of the 20th century Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, and Russia Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Imperialism Europeans scramble for African and Asian colonies In 1905 & 1911, the French & Germans almost went to war over Morocco Causes of World War

Nationalism Germany and Britain competed industrially Territory disputes Alsace-Lorraine border conflict Franco-Prussian War Austria-Hungary competed for dominance of the Russia and Austria-Hungary competed to control the Balkan Peninsula Slavic independence Alliance System – Political impact Economic competition for global markets and raw materials resulting from imperialistic competition

Effects of WWI Treaty of Versailles: Political Effects Only Germany was blamed for starting WWI France got Alsace-Lorraine back France’s border was extended to the Rhine River Created the League of Nations 5 allied powers 32 neutral nations excluded Russia & Germany German colonies in the Pacific & Africa became League of Nations mandates Limited the size of German army Forbade Germany to build an air force or submarine force Sykes Picot Agreement Britain and France divided the former Ottoman Empire between them into mandates Effects of WWI

Economic Impact Social Impact Germany banned from manufacturing or importing war materials “War Guilt Clause” Article 23: Germany forced to pay billion reparations over a 30 year pd Germany printed huge amounts of paper money to pay off war debts. This flooded the market and caused severe post-war inflation. 1n 1924, U.S. implemented Dawes Plan Loaned 0,000,000 to strengthen Germany’s economy implemented more realistic reparations repayment schedule Social Impact Total war – combatants mobilized every national resource available to obtain their objective Mobilized large quantities of soldiers; took them away from productive jobs Food rationing Used propaganda to divert attention from the economy to the war effort Governmental policy changes addressed the wartime economy

Trench warfare French Western Front: few gains high casualty rates on both sides New military technology airplane mustard gas machine guns armored tanks larger artillery High casualty rates 8.5 million soldiers 21 million soldiers wounded Thousands of civilians died from starvation, disease, or slaughter.

Major Characteristics of WWI Total war – combatants mobilized every national resource available to obtain their objective Mobilized large quantities of soldiers; took them away from productive jobs Food rationing Used propaganda to divert attention from the economy to the war effort Trench warfare French Western Front: few gains high casualty rates on both sides New military technology Major Characteristics of WWI

High casualty rates airplane mustard gas machine guns armored tanks larger artillery flamethrowers High casualty rates 8.5 million soldiers 21 million soldiers wounded Thousands of civilians died from starvation, disease, or slaughter

Political Impact of Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Secret treaties eliminated Freedom of the seas Free trade Cut land & sea military forces Re-organized colonies Sought self-determination for newly created European countries: Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Austria. Finland. Estonia, Latvia. Lithuania. Turkey, Czechoslovakia Create an organization for collective security and protection Political Impact of Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points

Called the “Peace built on quicksand” because it was so weak and ineffective Political impact Only Germany was blamed for starting WWI France got Alsace-Lorraine back France’s border was extended to the Rhine River Created the League of Nations 5 allied powers 32 neutral nations excluded Russia & Germany Treaty of Versailles

German colonies in the Pacific & Africa became League of Nations mandates Limited the Germany army Forbade Germany to build an air force or submarines Sykes Picot Agreement Britain and France divided the former Ottoman Empire between them into mandates U.S. rejected Treaty of Versailles U.S. signed a separate peace treaty with Germany

Economic impact Germany banned from producing or importing war materials and weapons “War Guilt Clause” Article 23: Germany forced to pay over billion in war reparations over 30 years Germany printed huge amounts of paper money to pay off war debts. This flooded the market and caused severe post-war inflation. 1n 1924, U.S. implemented Dawes Plan loaned 0,000,000 to strengthen Germany’s economy implemented more realistic reparations repayment schedule