The First World War The Causes McKay Chapter 27 (887-895) Palmer 17.85

Overview of WWI

The Road to War German Empire begins Dual Alliance (1879) Gavrilo Princeps & the Black Hand assasinate Archduke Ferdinand German Empire begins -France loses Alsace and Lorraine Dual Alliance (1879) Nicholas II crown Tsar of Russia Bloody Sunday (St. Petersburg 1871 1888 1894 1904 1914 League of the Three Emperors (1872) Russo-Japanese War Wilhelm II crowned Kaiser -Drops the Pilot (1890) British launch first "dreadnought" class battleship (1906)

Three Emperors League (1872) Treaty between Kaiser William I of Germany, Czar Alexander II of Russia and Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria Bismarck's aim for forming this League was to isolate France agreed to maintain the existing territorial arrangements in Europe to resist the spread of revolutionary (e.g. socialist) movements to consult one another if any international difficulties arose A weak alliance: rivalry between Austria and Russia over the Balkan Peninsula

The Russo-Turkish War (1878) Rivalry between Austria and Russia in the Balkans came to a head in 1877-78 In 1875, five Balkan states revolted against the Turkish rule Russia supported Balkan states and defeated Turkey On March 8, 1878, Turkey forced to sign the Treaty of San Stefano created an independent, Big Bulgaria Bulgaria would be a Russian puppet Austria intervened, backed up by Britain Bismarck volunteered to act as an "honest broker"

The Congress of Berlin 1878 Germany sided with Austria and Britain Russia had to give up the Treaty of San Stefano and sign the Treaty of Berlin Split Bulgaria into three parts Bulgarian Proper Eastern Rumelia and Macedonia were to be ruled under Turkish sovereignty Bosnia and Herzegovina under Austrian military occupation (but not annexation) Russia felt diplomatically humiliated turned against Bismarck Cartoon ridiculing the Congress of Berlin Let us have piece

Cartoon satirizing the Congress of Berlin that led to Turkey’s loss of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria

Dual Alliance (1879-1918) Germany sided with Austria Unable to maintain friendly relations with both Austria and Russia, Bismarck allied with Austria preferred a weaker partner which could be more easily controlled would throw open the Danube valley to German trade had racial ties with Germany would enable Germany to exercise influence in the Balkans alliance with Russia would antagonize Britain terms of the Dual Alliance support the other militarily until the end of the war if attacked by Russia agreed to remain neutral if her ally was attacked by a power other than Russia Later adds Italy (Triple Alliance)

Second Three Emperors' League (1881) Bismarck still wanted to keep Russian friendship after the signing of Dual Alliance (1879) with Austria Czar Alexander III ascended the Russian throne after the assassination of Alexander II renewal of the Three Emperors' League of 1872 which promised to suppress the revolutionary movements terms of the League were Balkans was to be divided into two spheres of influence western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina) belonged to Austria eastern Balkans (Bulgaria) belonged to Russia the three Emperors agreed to consult one another if there was another Balkan crisis Yet rivalry of Balkans between Austria and Russia remained

Reinsurance Treaty 1887-1890 Bismarck secretly made a treaty with Russia without informing Austria Russia and Germany would observe neutrality towards each other if either became involved in war with a third power, except if Germany attacked France or if Russia attacked Austria-Hungary Bismarck’s goal Prevent two front war Wilhelm II refused to renew treaty Dropped the Pilot (1890) Began Weltpolitik (World Politics) Wilhelm’s policy to make Germany a world power Demanded a “place in the sun” Announced plan to build large navy (Dreadnought ships)

Franco-Russian Alliance (1894) Wilhelm’s rash decision not to renew Reassurance Treaty pushed Russia into arms of France France gave loans, arms, and friendship Military alliance formed to block attack of Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria, Italy Politics makes strange bedfellows

End of Splendid Isolation Who would GB support? Felt “natural alliance” with Germany (Angles & Saxons) Yet tensions began to rise b/t GB and Germany after 1890 Wilhelm II = Diplomatic Dope Kruger Telegram (1896) "I express to you my sincere congratulations that, without appealing to the help of friendly Powers, you and your people have succeeded in repelling with your own forces the armed bands which had broken into your country, and in maintaining the independence of your country against foreign aggression." Message sent following Transvaal’s victory against British Jameson Raid (1895) GB realized that it was becoming isolated and hated (Fashoda, Boer War)

Britain turning back on Germany (1904)

Triple Entente Anglo-French Entente (1904) was a close understanding (entente cordiale) in 1904 British and French governments come to terms over differences in 1904 British control of Egypt is recognized by France French presence in North Africa is recognized by England Not an alliance (didn’t say what they would do if war came) Anglo-Russian Agreement (1907) 1907 a humiliated Russia (defeated by Japan) is agreeable to relations with England British recognized Russian sphere of influence in the north of Persia Russians recognized a British sphere in the south and east

First Moroccan Crisis (1905) France obtained protectorate control of Morocco in 1904 In 1905, Germany announced its support of independence for Morocco Tangier Speech Kaiser William II made a speech from warship in Tangier to Moroccans and supported their independence against the French Wilhelm wanted to test the Entente tactic to drive a wedge b/t France and England Both France and Germany called up reserve troops and began to mobilized Algeciras Conference (1906) At conference at Algeria (1906) France backed by Britain, Russia, Italy, Spain, and the United States Germany’s only friend is Austria

Pan-Slav Nationalism Ausgleich Compromise of 1867 creating the Austro-Hungarian Empire Left many minorities embittered (esp. Slavs) Pan Slavism nationalism was encouraged by Russia Saw Serbians as their “little brothers” Shared Slavic language, orthodox religion, cultural traditions Serbs dreamed of a nation of southern Slavs (Yugoslavia) Coveted Bosnia-Herzegovina Interlaced population of Catholic Croats, Albanian Muslims, and Orthodox Serbs

Bosnian Crisis (1908) Secret agreement between Austria and Russia Austria would take Bosnia Russia would take Straits Austria quickly annexes Bosnia Serbia is furious Wanted Slavic Bosnia Serbia threatened war on Austria-Hungary Russia began to mobilize but waited to long to act backed down after GB and France condemn action World War I was postponed when Russia backed down relations between Austria- Hungary and Serbia were greatly strained Austria and Bulgaria rip up the Ottoman Empire: the Bosnian Crisis, 1908

Two Balkan Wars First Balkan War (1912) Second Balkan War (1913) Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece joined in and took Macedonia from the Ottomans Serbs wanted Kosovo Bulgars claimed more of Macedonia than was acceptable to Serbia Second Balkan War (1913) Austria, Serbia (Russia), and Greece squabble over Albania (Muslim) and attack Bulgaria Austria was determined to keep Serbia land locked Albania became “Independent” Serbs were frustrated Russians were humiliated again The Vortex- Will the Powers be drawn in?

1879 The Dual Alliance                                         Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves from Russia 1881 Austro-Serbian Alliance                                      Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of Serbia 1882 The Triple Alliance                                          Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia 1914 Triple Entente (no separate peace)                                      Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately.                                                                                        1894 Franco-Russian Alliance                                       Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-Hungary 1907 Triple Entente                                          This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany. 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente                                         This was an agreement between Britain and Russia 1904 Entente Cordiale                                         This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain. Top  

Europe on the Eve of War, June 1914 Germany competes with GB’s naval supremacy Germany’s militarism threatens France and Russia Russian, Germany, GB, France compete for empire Malignant nationalism grows in Serbia Russia, Aus-Hun, Ottoman Emp. vie for control of Balkans

The Sarajevo Crisis Gavrilo Princeps a Serbian nationalist Member of the “Black Hand” Sometimes called Young Bosnia assassinated Hapsburg Archduke Francis Ferdinand (Heir to the Austrian throne) on June 28, 1914 Ferdinand was known to favor more equality for the Serbs But reformers who made the system work are the most dangerous to revolutionaries who want total change Evidence suggested that the Serbian gov. had aided the assassins Austria now determined to end Slav nationalism

Germany “Blank Check” Blank Check Refers to Germany’s unconditional support of Austria to be harsh with Serbia Austria issued “The July Ultimatum” to Serbia 10 intentionally unacceptable demands Demanded that it lead the investigation in Serbia and punish the perpetrators Serbia accepted 8 of the ten but claimed a violation of sovereignty Knew that Russia would not allow its further loss of influence in the Balkans Russia counted on France which gave Russia a blank check

The Guns of August Austria declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914 Russia began partial mobilization against Austria and Germany The first nation to mobilize had advantage of rapid offense Germany demanded Russia end its mobilization but got no answer Declared war on Russia and France on Aug. 1 and 3 1914 Britain was evasive at first and on 8/4/14 declared war on Germany Unsatisfactory answer regarding Belgian neutrality Had Germany known that British would fight the whole war may have been avoided But Germany should have known that England would fight, especially after Belgium was invaded Violated Treaty of Neutrality of 1839 WWI had begun

MAIN causes of WWI Militarism Aggressive buildup of armed forces meant to intimidate other nations German insecurity led to massive buildup Alliance System Insecurity caused nations form security guarantees An attack on one was an attack on all Imperialism Intense competition among powers for territory/ status Nationalism Intense love of one’s nation mixed with social Darwinism Viewed other nations as inferior Fredrick Nietzsche’s Will to Power Militarism Aggressive buildup of armed forces meant to intimidate other nations German felt surrounded by France, Russia German began naval buildup Threatened Britain Alliance System GB allied with France & Russia Germany allied with Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empire If one nation was attacked, ALL members of Alliance went to war Imperialism European powers competed for empires Southern Slavs resented imperial domination of Austria-Hungary Nationalism Intense love of one’s nation (& inferiority of others) increased Lased with Social Darwinism (Will to Power)

Causes of WWI The Alliance System Based on living in fear of war Any given incident or crisis (German intervention in Morocco, assassination of Archduke) could not be settled by the primary parties German militarism/encirclement (Weltpolitik) Feared war with both France and Russia Forced to support Austria 1887 began to compete with British navy Dreadnought (1906) “Place in the Sun” Made Germany aggressive British ended “splendid isolation” Makes Germany feel encircled Balance of Power upset German strength Threatened France Forced France to support Russia

Causes of WWI Russian and Austrian weakness and desperation Both were tottering empires Russian revolutionaries weaken empire Austrian nationalistic agitation weaken empire Each had little to lose and were reckless Nationalism/ Ethnic & Social Tensions Aggressive nationalism made each nation believe that theirs was the right cause Flamed by Nation-States Molded public opinion, created traditions Flags, national anthems, uniforms France resurrected Bastille Day in 1880 Social Democrats unrepresented in German government War used as a means to distract the masses Zeitgeist Weltpolitik (World Politic) Wilhelm II policy to make Germany world power Social Darwinism Authors like Nietzsche glorified struggle The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. Friedrich Nietzsche German philosopher (1844 - 1900)