1914-1918: The World at War

Pursuit of Peace A move away from militarism to pacifism (opposition to war) New attempts: In 1896 the modern Olympics began Alfred Nobel established the Peace Prize The Hague Tribunal was established in 1899 to help resolve disputes between countries

Aggressive Nationalism Newly united Germany was very proud of its growth in military & industry France was still angry about land it lost in the Franco-Prussian War Austria-Hungary experienced hostility from many nations under their control

Russians wanted to unite all Slavic people together under one government This included the people in the Balkan States This alliance made neighboring countries very nervous

Pan-Slavism

Pan-Slavism: The Balkans, 1914 The “Powder Keg” of Europe

Rivalries Germans have begun out-producing Britain, profits begin to shift to them France and Germany compete to create colonies in Africa Militarism glorifies war Young men are anxious to become heroes Industrialism allows for an arms race – more weapons make war more likely Military leaders gain more political influence

Rise of Military Strength Germany possessed the most powerful army on the continent, and Britain the most powerful navy Germany will rebuild its navy to challenge British supremacy Both nations will increase the size and power of their fleets and armies in an attempt to not be outdone Increase production and storage of arms

Standing Armies in Europe, 1914

Economic & Imperial Rivalries

Alliances 1873- Three Emperors League 1879- Dual Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia 1879- Dual Alliance Germany & Austria 1881- Re-established Three Emperors League 1882- Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy 1887- Reinsurance Treaty Germany & Russia

1890- Bismarck is dismissed by Wilhelm II 1894- Franco-Russian Alliance 1904- Britain forms an entente with France and then with Russia (1907) Britain won’t necessarily come to their aid, but definitely won’t fight against them Alliances create a series of dominoes – if one falls they all will

The “Spark”

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Ferdinand decided to visit Sarajevo (under Austria-Hungary’s control) Many people there were Serbs or Slavs and didn’t want to be under A-H Angry that Ferdinand would come

June 28, 1914 Ferdinand was traveling w/ his wife in an open car The Black Hand (a Serbian nationalist group) launch a bomb at Ferdinand & miss him, but wounded some of his guard Ferdinand insists that they go to the hospital, cars get jammed up Gavrilo Princip is standing by and shoots Ferdinand and his wife

Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Family

The Assassination: Sarajevo

The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip

Who’s To Blame?

Ultimatums Austria gives Serbia an ultimatum (do this or else) Serbia will not agree to all conditions Countries begin to mobilize (make ready) for war Austria declares war Austria had Germany to back them up Serbia had Russia Russia turns to France who is happy to try to get revenge on Germany

The Schlieffen Plan At first both Italy and Britain remain neutral, don’t take either side Germany had a plan to fight a two-front war, both Russia and France at once Hoped to fight and defeat France very quickly Then turn around and fight Russia, since they’d be slow to mobilize

To get to France, Germany invaded Belgium Went against neutrality Too close to Britain Britain declares war on Germany – world war has begun Germany will not defeat France quickly Also, Russia is not slow to mobilize Central Powers have to fight both sides

The Schlieffen Plan

Europe in 1914

Victor Emmanuel II [It] The Major Players: 1914-17 Allied Powers: Central Powers: Nicholas II [Rus] Wilhelm II [Ger] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Enver Pasha [Turkey] Pres. Poincare [Fr] Franz Josef [A-H]

A Multi-Front War

The Western Front

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare “No Man’s Land”

Americans in the Trenches

U-Boats

Zeppelins

Flame Throwers Grenade Launchers

French Renault Tank

Poison Gas Machine Gun

“Squadron Over the Brenta” Max Edler von Poosch, 1917 The Airplane “Squadron Over the Brenta” Max Edler von Poosch, 1917

Total War WWI was a total war (all of a governments resources were put toward the war) Raised taxes, began conscription (draft), rationed food/gas Propaganda was used to sway public opinions Publicized the atrocities of other gov’ts

Recruitment Posters

American Poster

German Poster Think of Your Children!

Financing the War

Women in Wartime Women took up work at home in factories Women also helped abroad Grew food for soldiers Nurses in the field

Munitions Workers

French Women Factory Workers

German Women Factory Workers

Working in the Fields

Red Cross Nurses

Russian Women Soldiers

Collapsing Morale In the 3rd year casualties were high, food was short, victory no where in sight Trench warfare has resulted in a stalemate (neither side can win) Russia was hit very hard Roughly 1.3 million soldiers and sailors had died in battle, 4.2 million had been wounded, and 2.4 million had been taken prisoner Widespread hunger, strikes by workers, disorganization in the army

Russian Revolution March Revolution November Revolution In 1917, Czar Nicholas II will abdicate the throne Provisional Government remains in the war November Revolution The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government Lenin advocated “peace, land and bread” Russian Civil War Red Army v. White Army

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Russia signs an armistice with Germany in December 1917 Signs peace treaty in March 1918 to end its involvement in WWI Russia lost Poland, Finland, Baltic States, and the Ukraine to Germany Agreed to pay a large indemnity

The US declares war The US had been neutral In 1915 a German u-boat sunk the Lusitania, a ship carrying 128 US passengers In 1917 Britain intercepted the Zimmermann note From Germany to Mexico Promised land to Mexico if they’d invade the US

The Sinking of the Lusitania

The Zimmerman Telegram

Anti-German feelings increase Pres Wilson asks congress to declare war on Germany Within two years the US provided: 2.5 million soldiers 7.5 million tons of weapons/supplies This was all the Allies needed to tip the scales

The Yanks Are Coming!

Victory By mid-1918 the Allies had pushed the Germans out of France and Belgium Clear they could not win Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate by his people Austria-Hungary was being splintered by minority groups An armistice was signed November 1918

The Armistice is Signed! 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 The Armistice is Signed!