World War I Unit VI: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments

Causes of the Great War

Partner Discussion What are some of the causes of World War I? Name and describe at least TWO!

Imperial Tensions European nations competed for colonies

Militarism Glorification of war and increase in military spending Military leaders were very influential in European governments

Nationalism Great pride in one’s country or aspiring to become one’s own country –Germany and Italy had only recently become united, independent countries Many countries torn by tensions of different nationalist groups –Austria-Hungary, Russian Empire, and Ottoman Empire

The System of Alliances Due to tensions and the balance of power, European countries created alliances –Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy –Triple Entente: France, Russia and Great Britain

How do I possibly REMEMBER all of that?

These are the MAIN causes for World War I MAIN –Militarism –Alliances –Imperialism –Nationalism

War Breaks Out

Partner Discussion What is the definition of “Nationalism?” How can nationalism tear countries apart? How can nationalism create countries?

Nationalism in the Balkans

People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were born Russian and Austria competed for colonial control of new nations Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 and Serbia resents this

Nationalism in the Balkans

The Assassination of the Archduke

Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital (Sarajevo) on June 28, 1914 The Black Hand 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip kills the Archduke and his wife (THE SPARK)

The Assassination of the Archduke

Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum Germany and the “blank check” Austria-Hungary’s serves ultimatum to Serbia Serbia refuses to let Austria- Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbia

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28,1914

The Alliance System Leads to War Russia supported Serbia and Germany supported Austria-Hungary Within one week, almost all of Europe plunged into war: –Germany declares war on Russia and France –Britain declares war on Germany

Alliances and Fronts of the War

What has changed about the alliances????

The Alliances Allied Powers — Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Japan Central Powers — Germany, Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

The Fronts The Western Front Schlieffen Plan = failure Modern weaponry led to massive casualties Trench warfare = hardly any change in location of the front lines Led to war exhaustion on the front lines as well as on the home front War ends without the Allies occupying any part of Germany The Eastern Front Lack of trenches = changing location of the front lines Russia’s lack of modern technology = numerous defeats Led to Bolshevik (Russian)Revolution in 1917 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1917) signed with revolutionary government in Russia—lost one-fourth of territory

The Western Front

The Eastern Front Brest-Litvosk Treaty

Group Discussion – Recall Question Name TWO major differences between the Western and Eastern Fronts.

The War Ends 1917 – USA enters war – replaces Russia in Triple Entente Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were first Central Powers to be defeated War exhaustion and a lack of resources in Austria-Hungary and Germany helped end the war quickly

Modern Weaponry Machine Gun Long-range artillery U-Boats Airplanes Tanks Flame throwers Poison Gas

Casualties of Modern Weaponry Tactics of sending masses of men toward enemy didn’t work against modern weapons (No Man’s Land) –Britain suffered 57,470 casualties on the first day of the Battle of Somme –Total losses for WWI exceeded 10 million

The Reality of Soldiers’ Lives

Patriotic Fervor Many Europeans looked forward to war at the start Attitudes Change Soldiers changed Europeans’ optimistic fervor through letters about the horrors of war

The Return Home No crowds or heroes’ welcome after the war Soldiers were shunned by society –WHY???

Trench Warfare

Group Discussion What do you think life was like in the trenches?

Life in the Trenches Charging over the top, crossing no man’s land to reach enemy trenches Boring, terrifying and caused shell shock Horrible living conditions

Effect of the War on the Home Front

Mobilizing for Total War Civilians back home made huge sacrifices Governments controlled industries, rationing Propaganda and Censorship used often

Partner Discussion How do you think the war affected women and their role in society?

New Jobs for Women Worked in jobs traditionally held only by men, who were at the front Number in paid employment rose greatly Middle/Upper class women also worked in paramilitary organizations to support soldiers at front

Women’s Wages Paid less than men for same work Industrial and civil work provided better pay and working hours than traditional jobs

Women’s Changing Role Women discovered the benefits of financial autonomy and greater mobility Some refused to return to domestic service Women won right to vote throughout Europe

Effect of the War on Colonial Peoples

Partner Discussion How did the war affect native people in the European colonies?

Colonial Peoples’ Role Fought alongside Europeans in battles on the Western Front and in their homelands Colonial military units experienced high casualty rates

Colonial Peoples’ Goal For fighting in the war, colonial peoples’ expected social and political equality with Europeans Independence movements grew

The Paris Peace Conference

Signing of the Treaty of Versailles

Group Discussion What were the goals/objectives of each of the attendees of the Paris Peace Conference?

What did nations want? Britain and France wanted to punish Germany and its allies Britain and Italy wanted parts of Germany/Ottoman territories United States wanted to establish a international peacekeeping organization –League of Nations – Wilson’s 14 Points

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

Effects of the Treaty of Versailles USA never ratifies the treaty or joins the League of Nations Italy doesn’t get promised territory European colonies are not awarded independence (self-determination) Japan gets German colonies in East Asia Britain and France gain mandate territories in the Middle East

The New Europe Treaties similar to Germany’s signed with other Central Powers Many countries experienced a change in their borders Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia lost territory Many new countries were created

The New Europe