World War I and the Russian Revolution Chapter 27 World War I and the Russian Revolution

Overview 1880 – 1920 Period of great economic, political, and technological change around the world Industrialized nations competing for natural resources Tensions high in Europe where Great Britain, France, and Germany competed for economic expansion

Setting the Stage for War Conflicting interests in Europe led to war Relations among countries began to break down in the mid 1850s Growing rivalries in the Balkan region and competition for overseas colonies Four factors fueled war: nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the system of alliances

Setting the Stage for War Nationalism: various ethnic groups tried to gain more political unity Several nationalities ruled by one regime

Setting the Stage for War Imperialism: several European nations came close to war due to competition for control of Africa, Asia, and other areas

Setting the Stage for War Militarism: countries could achieve goals through force and threat Countries could be prepared if another country mobilized its army Germany began to match Great Britain’s navy 1906: Dreadnought introduced by Great Britain

The System of Alliances Powerful German empire under the leadership of Prussia emerged Otto von Bismarck feared France would seek revenge for 1871 defeat in Franco- Prussian War Regain Alsace-Lorraine? Bismarck wanted to keep France without allies, especially with Russia Germany would have to fight two wars - eastern and western fronts

The System of Alliances Three Emperors’ League: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia; remain neutral if one of these countries went to war Bismarck encourages Italy to join Germany and Austria-Hungary, thus creating the Triple Alliance Three Emperors’ League disbands due to rivalry between Austria-Hungary & Russia over the Balkans Reinsurance Treaty of 1887: Bismarck and Russia agree to new terms

The System of Alliances Prior to the formation of the Triple Entente, France aided Russia during a financial crisis and had formed an alliance as early as 1894 Competition grew between Great Britain and Germany for overseas colonies German naval buildup increased prompting Great Britain to seek allies

The System of Alliances France & Great Britain agree to settle conflicts 1907: Great Britain & Russia become allies after recognizing each others spheres of influence in Asia Triple Entente became new alliance France & Russia had secret agreements with Italy which allowed Italy to have knowledge of what this alliance was doing Rival alliances threatened world peace

The Balkan “Powder Keg” 1878: Serbia gains independence from Ottoman Empire Serbian Nationalists wanted a larger Slavic state Nationalists wanted Bosnia and Herzegovina Landlocked country would now have access to Adriatic Sea 1908: Austria-Hungary annexes areas

The Balkan “Powder Keg” Russia supported Serbia and was a protector of the Balkan Slavs Pan-Slavism: political and cultural unity of all Slavs under Russian leadership Rivalry between Russia & Great Britain; Great Britain did not want Russia to have access to the Mediterranean Sea Kaiser William II tried to bring Ottoman Empire, an enemy of Russia, into Triple Alliance German expansion of railroad through Constantinople and Baghdad which upsets Great Britain & Russia

The Balkan “Powder Keg” June 28, 1914: heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist Serbian officials implicated in terrorist plot

The Balkan “Powder Keg” Austria-Hungary wants to punish Serbs yet are afraid of Russia Austria-Hungary secured support from Germany Austria-Hungary sends ultimatum to Serbia 1. Serbia must suppress opposition groups 2. dismiss teachers that opposed Austria- Hungary 3. dismiss government officials against A-H 4. A-H must participate in assassin's trial Serbia accepts first three demands Submits 4th term to International Court expecting a rejection while mobilizing troops Ultimatum deadline expires on July 28: Austria-Hungary, expecting a quick victory, declares war on Serbia

Mobilization of Europe Russia supports Serbia by moving troops to its border with Austria- Hungary & Germany Germany to Russia: stop mobilization or face war; Russia ignores World War I begins on August 1, 1914 when Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France two days later

Mobilization of Europe Belgium had been neutral since 1839; located between Germany and France Germany wants to defeat France quickly in order to concentrate on Russia Germany demanded to cross heavily fortified Belgium border; British protested due to Belgian neutrality Germany ignores protest and invades Belgium on August 4, 1914 Great Britain declares war on Germany that day

The War Expands Japan enters war on side of Great Britain & France looking to gain German possessions in China and the Pacific All nations in Europe at war except Italy Triple Alliance was formed for defensive purposes; Italy need not give aid to its allies 10 months later, Italy signs secret treaty with Great Britain, France, & Russia in order to reap the rewards of victory May 1915: Italy enters the war against the Triple Alliance

The War Expands October 1914: Ottoman Empire had entered war on the side of Germany Weak militarily; held the Dardanelles - the strait between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Germany & Austria-Hungary could control waterway and keep Russia’s fleet bottled up and could block supply ships October 1915: Bulgaria, a Slavic rival to Serbia, joins the war on the German side