World War IWorld War I
1914-19191914-1919
Europe – late 19cEurope – late 19c
Peace EffortsPeace EffortsPacifismPacifismNobel Peace Prize est. (1895)Nobel Peace Prize est. (1895)Olympic games (1896)Olympic games (1896)Hague Tribunal set up (1899)Hague Tribunal set up (1899)
Europe Europe
Tension & Rivalry in EuropeTension & Rivalry in Europe
Impact of nationalismImpact of nationalismFrance, Germany = rivalsFrance, Germany = rivals
Franco-Prussian War 1871; Alsace & Franco-Prussian War 1871; Alsace & LorraineLorraine
Eastern EuropeEastern EuropePan-Slavism; duty of Russia to protectPan-Slavism; duty of Russia to protectAustria-Hungary feared rebellion in its Austria-Hungary feared rebellion in its
empireempireOttoman Empire threatened; recent Ottoman Empire threatened; recent
independent nations like Serbia and Greeceindependent nations like Serbia and Greece
Tension & Rivalry in EuropeTension & Rivalry in Europe
ImperialismImperialism France & Germany fight over MoroccoFrance & Germany fight over Morocco Brought to the brink of war in 1905 and 1911Brought to the brink of war in 1905 and 1911 Britain came to France’s aidBritain came to France’s aid
MilitarismMilitarism Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism ““The stronger has to rule and must not mate with the The stronger has to rule and must not mate with the
weaker; Only the born weakling can consider this cruel.” weaker; Only the born weakling can consider this cruel.” - Adolf Hitler- Adolf Hitler
War and soldiers were glorified, portrayed romanticallyWar and soldiers were glorified, portrayed romantically Britain and Germany increased naval spendingBritain and Germany increased naval spending
Economic rivalry alsoEconomic rivalry also
Tension & Rivalry in EuropeTension & Rivalry in Europe
Alliance SystemAlliance SystemCauses – paranoia, sense of security???Causes – paranoia, sense of security???Triple Alliance – Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Austria-Hungary,
ItalyItalyTriple Entente – Triple Entente – France, Britain, RussiaFrance, Britain, RussiaOthersOthers
Japan and Great BritainJapan and Great BritainGermany and Ottoman EmpireGermany and Ottoman Empire
Event that triggered WWI…Event that triggered WWI…
Assassination of Archduke Franz Assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandFerdinandHeir to Austro-Hungarian throneHeir to Austro-Hungarian throneVisiting Sarajevo (Bosnia)Visiting Sarajevo (Bosnia)Killed by a Serbian nationalist – Gavrilo Killed by a Serbian nationalist – Gavrilo
Princip of the Black HandPrincip of the Black HandLarge Serb minority there Large Serb minority there Wanted Slavic freedom from A-H ruleWanted Slavic freedom from A-H rule
A-H issues ultimatum – let us investigate A-H issues ultimatum – let us investigate or war!or war!
WWI Alliances WWI Alliances Allied Powers (Triple Entente)
- Britain
- France
- Russia
- Italy (1915)
- United States (1917)
Central Powers
- Germany
- Austria – Hungary
- Ottoman Empire
*Italy withdrew from Triple Alliance prior to war
And so war begins…And so war begins…
A-H declares war on SerbiaA-H declares war on SerbiaRussia mobilizes troops to help Russia mobilizes troops to help
SerbiaSerbiaGermany says, “Stop mobilization or Germany says, “Stop mobilization or
we’ll declare war!”we’ll declare war!”
WWI FrontsWWI Fronts
Western front Western front (Germany, France, Belgium)(Germany, France, Belgium)
Germany’s planGermany’s planAvoid a two front war; take care of France Avoid a two front war; take care of France
first via Belgiumfirst via Belgium
Eastern Front Eastern Front (Germany, Austria-Hungary, (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia)Russia)
ProblemsProblemsTrench warfare caused a stalemateTrench warfare caused a stalemate
WWI – First mechanized warWWI – First mechanized war
Rapid fire machine gunsRapid fire machine gunsCouldn’t go through “no man’s land”Couldn’t go through “no man’s land”
Chemical warfareChemical warfareAircraftAircraft
Zeppelins (reconnaissance mostly)Zeppelins (reconnaissance mostly)AirplanesAirplanes
TanksTanksU-boats – most damageU-boats – most damage
Mechanized warfare = total Mechanized warfare = total warwar
Total war = Total war = a nation uses all a nation uses all
its resources for war effortits resources for war effort Raised taxes and Raised taxes and
borrowed, rationed goodsborrowed, rationed goods Censored mediaCensored media All citizens involvedAll citizens involved
US declares war on Germany US declares war on Germany 19171917
ReasonsReasonsPropagandaPropagandaSinking of the Sinking of the Lusitania 1915Lusitania 1915Zimmerman telegramZimmerman telegram
Germany appealed to Mexico for helpGermany appealed to Mexico for helpBritain revealed message to USBritain revealed message to US
US troops provided morale boostUS troops provided morale boostGermany signs an armistice Nov. 11, Germany signs an armistice Nov. 11,
19181918Formal treaties signed in June, 1919Formal treaties signed in June, 1919
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