World War I

Inevitability of war Black Hand (Assassins hired by Serbian gov’t) June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria assassinated July 5, 1914 Germany issues A-H “blank check” –pledging military assistance if A-H goes to war against Russia July 23, 1914 Austria issues Serbia an ultimatum

The inevitability of war July 28, 1914 A-H declares war on Serbia July 29, 1914 Russia orders full mobilization of its troops August 1,1914 Germany declares war on Russia August 2, 1914 Germany demands Belgium declare access to German troops

“Belgium is a country, not a road” King Albert I of Belgium denied permission August 2, 1914 Germany declared war on France –Why??? –The Schlieffen Plan! August 4, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany for violating Belgian neutrality

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature

The Schlieffen Plan Invade western front 1 st; quickly defeat French After defeating France concentrate on the Eastern front Avoid fighting a 2 front war

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature Germany made vast encircling movement through Belgium to enter Paris Underestimated speed of the British mobilization –Quickly sent troops to France

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature Sept 6-10, 1914 –Battle of Marne –Stopped the Germans but French troops were exhausted –Both sides dug trenches for shelter STALEMATE War of Attrition: Waiting out enemy until they give up [stop supplies!]

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate Many Europeans were excited about war –“Defend yourself against the aggressors” –Domestic differences were put aside –Parties and celebrations were held at the start.

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate War would be over in a few weeks –Ignored the length and brutality of the American Civil War (prototype to World War I)

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate Belief that Modern industrial war could not be conducted for more than a few months “Home by Christmas”

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate “Fatal attraction of war” –Exhilarating release from every day life –A glorious adventure –War would rid the nations of selfishness –Spark a national re- birth based on heroism

The Trenches Trenches dug from English Channel to Switzerland 6,250 miles 6 to 8 feet deep Immobilized both sides for 4 years

The Trenches

Life in the Trenches Elaborate systems of defense –barbed wire –Concrete machine gun nests –Mortar batteries –Troops lived in holes underground

Life in the Trenches Boredom –Soldiers read to pass the time –Sarah Bernhardt came out to the front to read poetry to the soldiers

“Death is everywhere” “We all had on us the stench of dead bodies.” Death numbed the soldier’s minds. Shell shock Psychological devastation

“Death is everywhere” Mustard gas –Carried by the wind –Burned out soldier’s lungs –Deadly in the trenches where it would sit at the bottom

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare – type of fighting during World War I in which both sides dug trenches protected by mines and barbed wire Trench Warfare Cross-section of a front-line trench

Trench Rats "The rats were huge. They were so big they would eat a wounded man if he couldn't defend himself." "I saw some rats running from under the dead men's greatcoats, enormous rats, fat with human flesh. My heart pounded as we edged towards one of the bodies. His helmet had rolled off. The man displayed a grimacing face, stripped of flesh; the skull bare, the eyes devoured and from the yawning mouth leapt a rat." Many men killed in the trenches were buried almost where they fell. These corpses, as well as the food scraps that littered the trenches, attracted rats. Quotes from soldiers fighting in the trenches:

Officers walking through a flooded communication trench.

A photograph of a man suffering from trench foot.

Life in the Trenches Trench warfare baffled military leaders –Attempt to breakthrough –Then return to a war of movement –Millions of young men sacrificed attempting the breakthrough

Battle of Verdun Germany wanted to inflict heavy losses and capture Verdun 10 months ~700,000 men killed Extremely costly and deadly. Almost 1 million injured.

Battle of Verdun French lost some ground but not very much. Germany lost 336K France lost 362K

The changes of war New weapons crippled the “frozen front” –Poison gas (mustard gas) –Hand grenades –Flame throwers –Tanks –Airplanes –Subs

The changes of war Airplanes –Dog fights in the air –Bombing inaccurate –Romanticized the battlefields –Paris and London bombed –Pilots fired pistols and threw hand grenades

The Eastern Front Russian army moved into Eastern Germany on August 30, 1914 –Defeated The Austrians kicked out of Serbia Italians attacked Austria in 1915 G. came to Austrian aid and pushed Russians back 300 miles into own territory

The Eastern Front Much more mobile more than the West –But loss of life still very high –1915: 2.5 million Russians killed, captured, or wounded

The Eastern Front Germany and Austria Hungary joined by Bulgaria in Sept –Attacked and eliminated Serbia from war

The Home Front Women took war factory jobs Support by females back home vital to the war effort (supplies, medicine, ammo) Received lower wages than males Food shortages made running a household difficult

The Home Front Censorship –Not told about high death toll –Romanticized the battlefields “soldiers have died a beautiful death, in noble battle, we shall rediscover poetry…epic and chivalrous”

The Home Front Censorship “ Newspapers described troops as itching to go over the top.” “Government reported to the press that life in the trenches promoted good health and clear air”

1917 – Selective Service Act 24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the end of ,800,000 men served in WW1 (2,000,000 saw active combat). 400,000 African-Americans served in segregated units. 15,000 Native-Americans served as scouts, messengers, and snipers in non-segregated units.

The Home Front “On Leave” Troops would stay together so they could sympathize with each other

The Home Front Impossible to hide death –Women in mourning –Badly wounded soldiers returned home –Opposition began to emerge

The war winds down… U.S. joins the war on the Allied side Sinking of Lusitania Unrestrained sub-warfare by Germany 1917 – Zimmerman Note (next last slide) U.S. wouldn’t get paid back if France/Britain lose 1917 – Russia surrenders (a separate peace) –Russia was experiencing the Russian Revolution (Bolshevik Revolution) –Ultimately leads to a civil war ( ) between Bolsheviks (“Red Army”) and those opposing the revolution (“White Army” mostly Monarchists). –In 1922, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is formed (USSR); Also called The Soviet Union

We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN

The war ends 1917 – Russia surrenders (a separate peace) U.S. joins the war on the Allied side Nov. 11, 1918 Armistice Day!!! Treaty of Versailles: Treaty that ended WWI

Treaty of Versailles: Cause of WW2; angers Germany, Italy, Russia  Germany must accept responsibility and forced to pay large amounts of money (~$32bil)  Weakened Germany –Military size limited –Returned conquered land to France –Formation of Poland –Global colonies given up to the Allies  Germany’s Reaction –Outraged, but forced to sign the treaty –Economy was destroyed –Bitterness would affect politics for the next several years Russia and Italy receive little for their efforts: leaving Italy angry and Russia felt shortchanged for all of their sacrifices

The Aftermath  League of Nations –Organization of world governments proposed by President Wilson –Established by the Treaty of Versailles –Main goal was to encourage cooperation and keep peace –Germany was excluded –United States did not join  Ultimately weakened the League of Nations.  Changes in Europe –Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire lands were broken up –Independent nations were created  Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Turkey  Other treaties signed with the defeated Central Powers

Death Toll of War The most accepted figure for deaths caused by the war = 20,000,000 (20 million) Allied PowersCentral Powers 42 million served23 million served 22 million casualties (includes injured, civilian & military) 15 million casualties (includes injured, civilian & military) Around 55 die/hour for 50 months 20,000 Dead at Battle of Somme in 1 day

Germany 1,935,000 Russia 1,700,000 France 1,368,000 Austria-Hungary 1,200,000 British Empire 942,135 Ottoman Empire 725,000 Italy 680,000 Romania 300,000 United States 116,516 Bulgaria 87,495 Belgium 45,550 Serbia 45,000 Greece 23,098 Portugal 8,145 Montenegro 3,000 Japan 1,344 Military Casualties in World War I:

Political Impacts Espionage ActEspionage Act – forbade actions that obstructed recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military. - ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist materials from the mail. - fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison. Sedition ActSedition Act – Makes it a crime to speak out against the gov’t during times of war. -See Schenk vs US : US may restrict free speech during times of war - it was a crime to speak against the purchase of war bonds or willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about this form of US Govt., the US Constitution, or the US armed forces or to willfully urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production of things necessary or essential to the prosecution of the war…with intent of such curtailment to cripple or hinder, the US in the prosecution of the war.

Social Impact Men lost limbs and were mutilated Birthrate fell markedly Injured unable to work Ethnic hostility Influenza epidemic (killed around 50million) –Dropped the U.S. life expectancy by 12 years (in 1 year) –Effected young adults (usually great immune system) Poverty and massive rebuilding needed throughout Europe (helps the States!)

Psychological impact “Never such innocence again” Bitterness towards aristocratic officers whose lives were never in danger Existentialist movement: Life’s meaning? Extraordinary melancholy throughout much of Europe (France, Russia, Armenia)

President Wilson’s 14 point Plan End Secret Treaties Right to Freedom of the Seas Reduce weapon production Change boundaries for self-determination League of Nations to prevent future wars Colonies shall be placed under control of League of Nations

Internationalism: We can solve our disputes through international groups, not war. Woodrow Wilson attempts to start the League of Nations (international body to prevent war) Anti-colonialism: Colonizing foreign lands and stripping natives of autonomy is a mistake Treaty of Versailles: Treaty that vastly favors Allied powers and places extraordinary debt on Germany [some claim this is what leads to Hitler’s rise to power].