World War I
Causes for War Imperialism- Rivalries among European Nations Nationalism- Ethnic Troubles in the Balkans Militarism- Conscription & Military Growth
Problems in Serbia Russia controlled Serbia Demand for an independent Slavik State in the Balkans Other nations saw this as a threat
The Triple Alliance Formed in 1882 The “Bad Guys” Aka “Central Powers” Includes: –1. Germany –2. Austria-Hungary –3. Italy
The Triple Entente Formed in 1907 The “Good Guys” Aka “The Allies” Includes: –1. France –2. Great Britain –3. Russia –4. The United States (1915)
A Royal Assassination June 28, 1914 Sarajevo, Bosnia Archduke Francis Ferdinand & pregnant wife Sophia killed The Black Hand- Serbian Terrorists Gavrilo Princip- the assassin Increased tensions between Serbia, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
Mobilization for War Emperor William II gives “full support” to Austria-Hungary Czar Nicholas II mobilizes Russian Army Considered an Act of War Aug. 1, 1914 Germany declares war against Russia
War Propaganda Used by Governments Influenced public opinion Built up nationalism “War will be over by Christmas”
The Schlieffen Plan Gen. Alfred von Schlieffen German Plan for 2 front war Rapid invasion of France in West Fight Russia in the East
New Weapons of War Machine Guns Tanks Airplanes & Zeppelins Poison Gas
The Western Front & Trench Warfare War of Attrition- wear down the enemy Trenches dug, reinforced w/ wood & barbed wire “War of inches” Battle of Verdun: –France –10 months long –Over 700,000 dead
Eastern Front Against Russia More mobile fighting Equally as costly in lives 2.5 million Russians killed, captured, & lost Success of Central Powers in East allowed them to focus on Western Front
The Lusitania May 7, 1915 British passenger ship Sunk by Germans near Ireland 1,100 killed 100 Americans Accused of carrying weapons Increases U.S. involvement
The War Widens War spreads from Ottoman Empire into the Middle East Lawrence of Arabia- British officer Encouraged revolts against Arab princes German islands in Pacific taken by Allies
The U.S. Enters the War Germans doubted U.S. involvement U.S. enters in April 1917 Psychological boost to Allies Increased money, goods, & soldiers
Impact on the Home Front Total War- complete mobilization of resources and people Government powers expand DORA Act passed- protestors = traitors Women’s role drastically increased Began fight for women’s rights
Russia Approaches Revolution Ruled by Czars Czar Nicholas II takes over military Military & Economic disasters Grigori Rasputin- Siberian Holy man –Assassinated Dec. 1916
End of The Romanov Dynasty 300 year old Dynasty Alexis- heir to throne & hemophiliac Rasputin only person able to heal Alexis March Revolution led to fall of dynasty
The March Revolution March 8, ,000 march at Petrograd Demand “Peace and Bread” Duma- Legislative body dissolved Czar Nicholas II forced to step down Soviets- worker and soldier representatives in government
Rise of Communism Bolsheviks- Russian Social Democrats Radically interested in the lower class Lead by Lenin Grew from 50,000 to 240,000 members Seized control of govt.
Triumph of the Communists Bolsheviks renamed Communists July 16, 1918 Czar Nicholas & family killed Leon Trotsky- organized Red Army War Communism- Govt control of banks and industries 1921-Communists in complete control of Russia
End of the War 1917 tough year for the Allies March 1918 Germans launch final offensive Sept Germans declare war lost Nov. 11, 1918 Armistice Day- end of war
The Peace Settlements 27 Allied nations meet in Paris in 1919 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proposes “Fourteen Point Plan” to Congress The Paris Peace Conference –Big 3- Great Britain, France, U.S. League of Nations approved Jan. 25, 1919
The Treaty of Versailles Signed June 28, 1919 Composed of 5 separate treaties “War Guilt” clause for Germany German military greatly reduced Reparations- Germany ordered to pay $33 Billion over 30 years
Results of WWI Eastern Europe Map redrawn Many Ethnic minorities created Russia is Communist Ottoman Empire gone Mandates by League of Nations –France: Lebanon & Syria –Great Britain: Iraq and Palestine
Legacy of WWI Over 10 million Dead Total War- affected millions more Freedom of press & speech reduced Strong Central Govts. created Devastation of European landscape