World War I

Long Term Causes leading to WWI Forming of opposing Alliances Nationalist intentions in Balkans Rivalry between Great Powers Militarism

Great Powers Austria-Hungary Great Britain Germany France Italy Russia

The Balkans

Bosnia in a “Tug of War” Ottoman Empire had weakened an many new nations with strong feelings of Nationalism emerged– each with goals of expanding. Austria vs. Russia Lots of threats back and forth, but by 1913, neither side would give in again

Opposing alliances Bismarck made alliances because he feared war could break-up the newly unified Germany France wanted revenge for Franco-Prussian war, so Bismarck decided to isolate them with no allies Germany formed alliances with: –Austria-Hungary, Italy and Russia One problem b/w Russia and Austria-Hungary –Both claimed rights to Bosnia Great Britain proudly stood alone

New German Leader changes alliances Kaiser Wilhelm II fires Bismarck and wants to show off power of his country/ army Russian alliance lapses, and they sign an alliance with France Great Britain is threatened by Germany’s empirical desires and signs entente (agreement of friendship) with Russia and France.

Two major factions in Europe Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Triple Entente Great Britain Russia France

Militarism Tension so high, most political leaders thought war could put a quick end to it all. Military leaders believed they had perfected strategies and weapons and could “easily win” any war within 6 mos. People were feeling STRONG sense of nationalism and believed no better way to show it than war.

Immediate Causes for WWI Assassination of Franz Ferdinand German support of Austrian Aggression Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia Germany’s Invasion of Belgium

Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand about to be heir of Austria

Assassination On a visit to Bosnia, Ferdinand is assassinated. This is the “spark” that was necessary to start to fire of war. Each country wanted war: alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and arms race.

Ultimatum Austria used assassination to go to war. They consulted with Germany who agreed to back them completely. Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum with very harsh terms. Serbia planned to accept to avoid war. Austria-Hungary invaded anyway.

The country’s take sides Russia agreed to back Serbia and begins mobilizing troops toward Austrian and German borders (precautionary). Mobilization will take Russia a long time Germany declared war on Russia. Germany declared war on France.

Schlieffen Plan Germany now faced 2 front war Schlieffen plan expected Russian mobilization to be slow, and planned to make quick attack and beat France

Belgian Invasion Germany insisted on going through Belgium (a neutral country) in order to carry out the swift invasion of France. Belgium was angry and Great Britain became nervous due to the vicinity of their ports to Belgium. G.B. declares war on Germany.

Central Powers vs. Allied Powers Central Powers (based on geographic location) Germany Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Turkey Allied Powers Great Britain France Russia Italy

Battle of the Marne: Schlieffen Plan vs. E`lan E`lan– French plan for war, counted on spirit of troops. E`lan was no match for Germans. Germans got to Parisian border. Just before Paris, Germans sent troops East to Russia– Schlieffen Plan has failed. French and British troops fought off Germany. Paris was saved.

Stalemate After Marne, trenches were built. –600 miles worth from English Channel to Swiss border Between the trenches was “no-man’s-land” Years passed and this was a war like no other!

Trench Warfare

Industrialization in WWI New Weapons Machine gun Poison gas Tanks Airplanes (1 st time in war) Submarines– U-boats

Machine Guns

Mustard Gas

Life Changes Total War– countries put all resources into war. Changed the role of women. Rationing Propaganda– one-sided info that tries to persuade people to believe in something.

Nationalism/ Propaganda

United States Enters War 1915, German U-boat sinks British passenger ship with 139 U.S. citizens on board, Lusitania Germany stopped unrestricted sub warfare to avoid war with U.S. 1917, Germany began unrestricted sub warfare again, and sent message to Mexico that they would help them get territory in U.S. U.S. Declares War on side of Allies.

Good Night to WWI The U.S. troops were too numerous and fresh for the Germans to continue. 11/11/18 The War Ends with Germany signing an armistice.

Immediate Effects of WWI Russian Revolution Defeat of Central Powers Destruction and Loss of Life Treaty of Versailles League of Nations Break-up of Austria-Hungary Forming of Mandates

Death and Destruction 9 Million Military Killed 6 Million Civilians 60 Million total casualties

German Cementary

Russian Mass Grave

Treaty of Versailles Wilson and his Fourteen Points: 1.Ending Secret Treaties 2.Freedom of the seas 3.Removal of economic barriers on trade 4.Reduce size of national armies and navies 5.Colonial claims changed to favor colonial peoples 6-13: New borders and Self-determination 14. League of Nations!!

Peaceful Conflict Many countries disagreed about how Europe should be rebuilt, what regions should go to what countries. U.S., France, Great Britain, and Italy hammered out the deal. Russia, despite the greatest loss of life in the war was not invited to the Paris. No defeated countries allowed to participate.

The Big Three U.S.A. France Great Britain

Woodrow Wilson

Georges Clemenceau

David Lloyd George

Germany got Hammered Loss of Land –13% land –10% population Military Restrictions –Restrictions on size of army, no planes or u-boats, no troops on French border Reparations –Most severe part of treaty, “war-guilt” clause –Germany must take sole responsibility for war and pay $31 Billion. League of Nations

Wilson gets his 14 th point. 5 Permanent members –U.S.A. –Britain –France –Italy –Japan 42 Allies Germany and Russia NOT MEMBERS

United States Rejects Treaty! U.S. Congress rejects the Treaty of Versailles. U.S. Congress refused to join League of Nations –Did not want to weaken congress’ power Did not want U.S. soldiers forced to fight by League without consent of Congress –Many wanted isolationism

Weak League

Long Term Effects of WWI German and Italian Resentment of Treaty U.S. Policy of Isolationism Disillusionment of Lost Generation Rise of Fascism World War II