War & Revolution

Chapter 23

The Road to WWI

• Many liberals of the nineteenth century believed that if Europe was aligned along natural lines, these states would work together to form a peaceful Europe

• This was a misconception as the new nation-states engaged in a spirit of competition not cooperation

Nationalism & Alliances

• Rivalries over colonies & trade grew during a period of nationalism & imperialist expansion

• It was also during this period that Europe's great powers were divided into two loose alliances

• The Triple Entente included France, Great Britain, & Russia

• The Triple Alliance included Austria-Hungary, Germany, & Italy

• Crises during this period would challenge the alliances, especially when it came to the Balkans

• Each side was willing to risk war in order to preserve their power

• Nationalism was also a serious issue as many ethnic groups had not achieved independence & were more than willing to risk war to achieve it

Internal Dissent

• The desire for independence was not the only issue fueling the feeling of nationalism

• Socialist labor movements also fueled conflict & promoted violence in order to achieve their goals

• This increase in labor conflict & class distinctions led many leaders to fear that Europe was on the verge of revolution

• This desire to suppress internal disorder may have led many leaders to take the plunge into war in 1914

Militarism

• In the early 1900’s Europe saw a large build up of military forces as well as weaponry

• This build up made it clear that if conflict came it would be devastating

• From 1890 to 1914 European armies doubled in size

• This was mainly due to the implication of conscription or a draft

• It was obvious that militarism or preparing for war was growing

• In addition military leaders began to grow in power insisting that their plans be followed & not altered

• This would leave political leaders with very few options & in 1914 their decisions would be made on military reasoning not political

The Outbreak of War

• Militarism, nationalism, & the desire to quell internal conflict all led to the outbreak of WWI

• However, it would be the decisions that European leaders made in response to a crisis in the Balkans that would set off world war

Assassination in Sarajevo

• In 1914 Serbia was supported by Russia & was determined to create a large independent state in the Balkans

• Austria-Hungary which had its own Slavic minorities to deal with & was just as determined to prevent this from happening

• In June of 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was assonated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip

• Princip was a member of the Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand

• The Black hand wanted Bosnia to become part of a large Serbian kingdom

Austria-Hungry Responds• The Austrian-Hungarian

government did not know if the assassination was the work of the Serbian government, but it did not care

• Austrian leaders wanted to attack Serbia but feared that Russia may intervene on behalf of Serbia

• In fear of Russia Austria asked & received the support of their German allies

• German leader Emperor William II gave Austria a blank check promising Germany’s full support

• In July Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Russia Mobilizes

• In response Russian Czar Nicolas ordered a partial mobilization of the Russian army against Austria-Hungry

• Russian military leaders informed the czar that they could not partially mobilize against Austria-Hungary because plans included the mobilization against Germany as well

• The czar ordered the full mobilization fully knowing that this act would be seen as an act of war by German leaders

The Conflict Broadens• Germany warned that mobilization must stop

in twelve hours• Russia ignored the warning & Germany

declared war on Russia• The German plan, known as the Schlieffen

Plan, called for a two front war with France & Russia since the two had entered into an alliance in 1894

• The plan called for a swift invasion & victory in France while holding the Russians with a minimal force

• Once the French were defeated Germany’s forces would be turned on the Russians

• The Germans also demanded that German Troops be allowed to pass through Belgium

• This act caused Great Britain to declare war on Germany for violating the neutrality of Belgium

• By August all of the Great powers of Europe were at war