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

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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