The First World War: European Tensions Ignited World History Spring 2009 Gonzalez

Causes of the War

Europe at its Peak 1914 Western European nation-states were most technologically advanced, wealthiest societies on earth. All aspect of life were affected by modernization; transportation, medicine, food production, and housing. 25% of world’s population was European. European’s felt superior. Thought their way of life was the peak of world civilization

European countries competed for colonies and thus created empires which served as sources of raw materials, cheap labor, and market for products. Because these countries wanted these colonies and build their empire, they usually argued and nearly went to war over these disputes France and Germany over Morocco. Imperialism

Militarism Militarism: the glorification of armed strength and the ideals of war. Many countries began to build up their armies to show the rest world not to mess with them. – Britain: navy was two times bigger than the two next biggest navies (two-power rule) Competition between Germany, Britain and Russia for biggest military.

Nationalism Nationalism: devotion to the interest of one’s country. (You just love your country no matter what) Nationalism and Militarism was used to create tension toward other European nations. France was upset that it had lost some land to Germany that it was trying to regain. Germany “The Hymn of Hate”– “Hate by water and hate by land; Hate of heart and hate of the hand; We love as one; we hate as one; We have but one foe alone---England.”

System of Alliances Imperialism, Militarism, and Nationalism = inevitable war. Nations wanted to protect themselves from fighting alone, created a web of treaties to protect themselves. Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Triple Entente: France, Russia and Great Britain.

War Breaks Out

Nationalism in the Balkans People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages.(Christians, Muslims, Slavic, Turks, Serbs, Croats) As Ottoman Empire declined, new nations were born. Russia and Austria competed for control of new nations. Austria-Hungary annexes (adds) Bosnia and Serbia resents (doesn’t like) this.

Assassination of the Archduke Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. 7 assassins from the Black Hand (Serbian nationalist group, plot against him. 19 year old, shot the Archduke and his wife.

Austria-Hungary Ultimatum Austria-Hungary was very angry at assassination. Germany gives full support to Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary wanted Serbia to give up all its land. Serbia refused knowing that they had full support of Russia. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

The Alliance system leads to war Russia supported Serbia. Germany supported Austria-Hungary. Within one week, almost all of Europe is dragged into war. – Germany declares war on Russia and France. Schlieffen Plan (strategy): France didn’t want to fight both at same time, so it decided to go around Belgium into France through Germany then to Russia. – Britain declares war on Germany.

How and Why WWI happened Archduke Ferdinand (A-H)gets assassinated Austria-Hungary wants all of Serbia land Neither side gives in. Too proud to look weak. Austria-Hungary has alliance with Germany. Serbia has alliance with Russia All nations have built up their military and now have no choice but to use it. WWI

Alliances and Fronts of the War

The Alliances Triple Entente(Allies): Britain, France and Russia Central Powers: Germany and Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

New Weapons Used in the War

New Weapons Machine gun – British machine gun fired 8 round per second, at a distance of 2,900 yards. Weapons of the Industrial Age – 75 different types of poison-gas bombs – Flame throwers – Tanks Casualties – Total losses for WWI exceeded 10 million

The Reality of Soldiers’ Lives

Reality of Soldiers’ Lives Patriotic Fervor: – Countries entered war optimistic of victory. Attitudes change: – people back home received letters that described the fear and terror of modern warfare. “All around was the continuing threat of instant death. Yet I saw no one fall. I saw men crying, and would have cried myself had I tears.” Return Home: – No crowd or heroes’ welcome after the war.

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare: – use of new weapons made soldiers find new tactics to succeed in war. – British troops used over 10 million shovels during war. Life in Trenches: – Horrible living conditions: water collected, disease including trench foot. Trench foot rotted away the skin and usually led to amputation

Effects of the War on the Home Front

Mobilizing for Total War Total war: – demanded sacrifice on part of civilians back home. – “if all the treasures of our soil that agriculture and industry can produce are used exclusively for the war effort.” New Jobs for Women: – Women employment shifted from the service sector (domestic servants) to civil and industrial sectors (train conductors, secretaries, bus drivers, bank tellers fire fighters).

Tragedies of the War: the Home Front

Tragedies of War: The Home Front Type of injuries suffered by the wounded, such as amputations and burns. Popular Culture: music, letters, diaries, editorials and poetry reflected the agony of long, horrific war and the millions of death of soldiers.

The Paris Peace Conference Versailles Peace Treaty: – “Allies” met to discuss how to reconcile the aftermath of the war. – “Big Four” Prime minister David Lloyd George (Britain) President Georges Clemenceau (France) President Vittorio Orlando (Italy) President Woodrow Wilson (U.S)

Goals for Italy President Vittorio Orlando demanded that the allies honor secret treaties that they had signed back at the beginning of the war that promised Italy territory in the eastern Mediterranean (gain territory from Austria- Hungary) in exchange for participation on the Entente (Allies) side.

Goals for Britain (England) Protect Britain’s overseas empire and insure its continued influence in the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia.

Goals for France President Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany for its role in the war, hoping for a “peace of vengeance.”

Goals for U.S. Establish a League of Nations: nations could meet and negotiate their problems, thereby avoiding conflicts like WWI.

France and Britain influence in Treaty of Versailles Germany had to: – Return Alsace-Lorraine region to France – Keep area near France called the Rhineland, demilitarized – Pay war reparations of 32 billion dollars – Agree to war guilt clause France and Britain created a severe treaty that punished Germany