Lecture 3:

The Legacy of the First World War 7 February 2012

HIST2133.

The Weimar Republic through Documents,1918-1933

Main causes of WW I• Conflicts generated by power politics within Europe

• Armament race of great European powers

• Anglo-German naval rivalry

• Difficulties of multi-national A-H (Habsburg Empire)

• European alliances turn from defensive to offensive

• Russia’s Balkan policy

• Hasty mobilisations and ultimatums caused by preconceived plans of military operations

July Crisis, 1914

Assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Bosnian-Serb nationalist

• Unconditional G loyalty to A-H• Reassurance of F alliance with R

Chain reactions :• Ultimatum of A-H to S and declaration of war• General mobilisation of R + A-H• G mobilisation and declaration of war on R + France and

invasion of B (Schlieffen Plan)• GB ultimatum to G + declaration of war• Declarations of war by S ≠ A-H, A-H ≠ Russia, F ≠ A-H, GB

≠ A-H, J ≠ G, R + GB + F ≠ T – later: I ≠ A-H + T (1915), I ≠ G (1916), R ≠ A-H (1916)

Question of responsibility for WW I

• Mutual distrust among European powers

• Belief that limited EU war could not be avoided

• Limited freedom of decision on part of leading statesmen

• Peoples’ willingness to arm to ensure own nation’s security

Major German War Aims

• Central Powers: G + A-H + I (until 1915/6)

Entente Powers: GB + F + R + I (since 1915/6)

1) Domination of B through annexation of important parts

2) Economic unity of ‘Central Europe’ incl. satellite states (PL + RO)

3) Enlargement of G colonial possessions

4) Elimination of GB rule and influence from Morocco to India

5) Separate peace with R

Stab-in-the-back legend (Dolchstoßlegende)

Widely believed notion in right-wing circles, after 1918:

• German Army did not lose WW I

• Army betrayed by civilians on the home front, esp. republicans who overthrew monarchy

• Advocates denounced German government leaders who signed Armistice on 11 Nov 1918, as

"November Criminals"

Versailles Peace Treaty, 1919

• 27 victorious powers ‘Big 4’: US, GB, F, I

• No defeated powers present

Contents of Treaty (440 articles):

• League of Nations

• New frontiers of G

• G rights in foreign countries and its colonies

• Reparations on basis of determination of G war guilt