THE GREAT WAR (WORLD WAR I) “DESCENT INTO THE ABYSS: WWI AND THE CRISIS OF THE EUROPEAN GLOBAL ORDER” Chapter 28
Feb 25, 2016
THE GREAT WAR(WORLD WAR I)
“DESCENT INTO THE ABYSS: WWI AND THE CRISIS OF THE EUROPEAN GLOBAL ORDER”
Chapter 28
Big Picture - 1914-Present The great Western empires declined and were replaced by
regional groups and multinational corporations There are several triggers for this dramatic shift.
Collapse of European imperial dominance and subsequent decolonization.
Massive technological innovation in military capacity and communications.
Explosion in population growth. These triggers created political innovation and a renewed
globalization. Many societies resisted changes to traditional worldviews. These developments effected people’s emotions and
behaviors by decreasing birth rates and increasing consumerism.
World War I Timeline
THE CAUSES OF WWIMilitarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Militarism Germany was competing
with Britain to build Dreadnought battleships.
The British feared an attack on their Empire
Militarism Germany was competing with
Russia and France to expand their armies
1880 1914 Germany 1.3mil. 5.0 mil. France 0.73mil. 4.0 mil. Russia 0.40mil. 1.2 mil.
Compare total U.S. forces today 1.082 million
Militarism Kaiser Wilhelm IIBuilt up German army and
navy Aggressive foreign policy
after 1910 Wanted to equal British
navy -- arms race Determined to make
Germany a top nation. Distrusted by other
powers
Alliances By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances. Triple Alliance
Germany Austria-Hungary Italy (but…1915)
Central Powers (add...) Ottomans Oct. 1914 Bulgaria Oct. 1915
Triple Entente Great Britain France Russia
Allied Powers (add...) Italy (May 1915, defence only) Japan USA (1917)
The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread.
First World WarComparing and Contrasting Sides
Germany (#1 Army)
Austria-HungaryOttoman EmpireBulgaria
Great Britain (#1 Navy)RussiaFranceItalyJapanUnited States (1917)+26 other countries
Central Powers: (rapid communications and movement, better Army)
Allies: (more soldiers, better industry, and navy)
Imperialism All the great powers were competing for colonies &
territory. The British feared Germany in Africa & in their sea
lanes. The Austrians feared Serbia/Russia in the Balkans
Nationalism This was an age when all nations wanted to assert
their power and independence. In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted
to be free of Austrian rule. (Pan-Slavism) Austria Annexed Bosnia Herzegovina (1908)
“The Balkan Powder Keg”
Balkans site of many conflicts
Serbia’s national flag
The Spark that ignited War 28 June 1914 Heir to Austrian
throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo.
Capital of Bosnia, recently grabbed by Austria (1908)
Hotbed of Slavic nationalism
Seal of the Black Hand group
13 Basic Steps to World War…..
1. 6/28/1914, Gavriel Princip assassinates Austrian archduke in Sarajevo. 2. 1st afraid of what Russia would do, they secured support from Germany
7/5/1914, Germany gives “blank cheque”to Austria before the Kaiser went on a cruise on his yacht until 27 Aug!
3. 7/23-7/28/1914, “July Crisis” Austria-Hungary sends a very tough “July Ultimatum” for Serbia (Threatened harmful action if demands not met)
4. 7/24/1914, Serbia agrees to all but one(2) term of the ultimatum (Police in Serbia)
5. 7/28/1914, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (quick victory?) 6. 7/29/1914, Russia mobilizes troops to Austria-Hungary & German Borders7. 7/30/1914, Germany demands that Russia stands its armies down8. 7/31/1914, German ultimatum to Russia, stop its mobilization, or Germany
would attack France. Germany begins mobilizing9. 8/1/1914, Germany declares war on Russia10. 8/3/1914, Germany declares war on France, Russia’s allies11. 8/3-4/1914, Germany invades Belgium on their way to France (Schlieffen Plan)12. 8/4/1914, Britain declares war because of its alliance with France & Russia, and
Germany breaking Belgium's neutrality treaty (1839 “Scrap of Paper”) 13. 8/23/1914, Japan allies with Britain, declares war on Germany, interested in
securing German territories in China & the Pacific.
A World at WarThe War in Europe Stalemate on Western Front
Trench warfare Massive losses
War of attrition The War in the East Russians
Offensives against Germany Huge losses, Battle of Tannenberg
78,000 casualties, 90,000 capturedThe War and in Italy Italians
1915, switch sides, promised “Share of the Spoils” including territories of Dalmatia & Fiume (or Rijeka)
War with Austrians stalemated
---City of Rijeka
World War I Fronts in Europe and the Middle East
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Battle of Jutland
Battle of Jutland
Innovations in Warfare Most devastating war in
history up to that point; because of these new innovations & old tactics. Chivalry was done…
U-Boats German Submarines
Torpedoes Mines 2 hulls
Innovations in WarfareMachine Guns
Firepower of many rifles
Rapid fire Very Heavy Devastating to infantry
attacks
Innovations in WarfareLong-Range
Artillery Fires large projectile Long range Trenches built for
protection Psychological Effects “Paris Gun” 81 miles
Innovations in WarfareAirplane
New invention Turned into weapon Dogfights Drop bombs Baron von Ricthofen “The
Red Baron” Shot down 80 aircraft
Innovations in WarfareTank
British Invention Heavily armored Various types of guns Ran on Treads
Able to get through barbed wire and get into enemy defenses.
Innovations in Warfare Zeppelin
First flew 1900 Poison gas
Disabling Tear gas Mustard gas
Deadly Chlorine Phosgene
(carbon monoxide and chlorine)
Flamethrower Trench Warfare Barbed Wire
A World at WarThe Home Fronts in Europe Each of the powers was able to mobilize large numbers of soldiers
Despite food shortages Privations at home
Little sympathy at home Growth in governments increased in power
Many industrial sectors of these nations were co-opted by the state
Propaganda encouraged their citizens to keep the war effort going and drummed up support from neutral nations (Especially USA) Suppression of criticism
Labor groups dissatisfied Weakens Germany Russia falls
Both monarchs would fall to revolution
A World at WarThe War Outside Europe British block supplies to Central Powers
Uses imperial resources, manpower Indians deployed in many areas
French Use African troops
Japan Fights Germans in Shandong peninsula China, the Pacific
Ottomans Side with Germany Armenian genocide
United States Begins neutral 1914-1915 (Wilson elected to 2nd term 1916 on isolation stance) Material help 1915-1916, Sinking of Lusitania not main reason to enter war,
however with the propaganda attached swayed people 1917, Germany’s Unrestricted Submarine warfare- war zone around Britain Zimmerman Telegram (Mexico) Russians March Revolution (Tsar Nicolas II abdicated on 13 March) April 6, 1917, enters war
Wilson, “The world must be safe for democracy.”
Propaganda & Women Working Used information both true and
false to get people to back to was effort
Women were used in factories, the men were drafted to fight. Women in work force replaced men in
the workplace, calls for political and social equality
increased. As a result, in Britain, Germany, and
the United States, women gained the vote after the war.
Sinking of the Lusitania Britain blockaded the North Sea Germany had their blockade of U-Boats, sinking British
shipping, Lusitania sank in 20 minutes – 1,198 deaths (128 Americans)
Most famous and deadliest torpedoed ship of war Germany temporally backed off with warning from U.S.
Gallipoli Ottomans stop
the British Navy & ANZ troops
Churchill’s Fiasco
A World at War
Total Killed: 7,940,000 soldiers (over 10 million including civilians)
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
March 3, 1918
Failed PeaceArmistice day 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour – Fighting stopped The Treaty of Versailles left its signers dissatisfied. The English & French pushed the Americans into an agreement
The punishment of the Germans War guilt/Reparations
Japan and Italy’s hoped-for gains were largely ignored Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire collapsed as political
entities The new communist government in Russia was not allowed to
participate in the peace conference Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points
U.S. would not join League of Nations League of Nations ended up weak and unable to stop WWII
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Poland independent Mandates – Carving up the Middle East
Ultimately, the Treaty of Versailles failed to bring a lasting peace, for it angered the people of a defeated and humiliated Germany felt & rallied, “Stabbed in the back!” Treaty of Versailles (Peace of Paris) led to WWII
The Middle East After World War I
Mandates Impact
future
The Nationalist Assault on the European Colonial Order
Subjugated peoples of colonies question status Europeans fighting each other Industrialized to help out war effort – India becomes industrialized
because of Britain’s need for war resources First time Europeans ordered Africans/Asians to kill other
Europeans Colonial leaders went to battlefield – left void
Gave administrative responsibility to the indigenous peoples Initially made promises from British/French – then reneged Questioned racial superiority theory Social/economic problems make it easier to motivate mass protests
Burma, Indonesia, and the Philippines were also looking for independence…..
European Colonial OrderIndia: The Makings of the Nationalist Challenge to the British Raj (rule)
Nationalist movements By the beginning of the 20th century, resistance to over a
hundred years of British rule mounted in India. Charges of British racism and detrimental economic policy
grew steadily.Worldwide patternsLeadership of Western-educated eliteCharismatic leadersNonviolence India National Congress Party, 1885Initially loyal to BritishSpurred by racismBuilds Indian identity
European Colonial OrderSocial Foundations of a Mass Movement Critique of British rule
Economic privilege for British Indian army used for British interests
High-paid British officials - Cash crops push out food production
The Rise of Militant NationalismHindu/Muslim split & B.G. Tilak
Indian Independence Movement leader demanded full and immediate independence and threatened
violence. His rhetoric appealed to many Hindus, but frightened others, especially moderate Hindus and Muslims.
Nationalism above religious concerns Boycotts of British goods, Bombay regions
Hindu communalists Secret societies sprang up that promoted and carried out violence, but British crackdowns limited
their effectiveness i.e. Terrorism in Bengal Morley-Minto reforms, (Indian Councils Act of 1909)
More opportunity for Indians – vote serve on legislative councils
European Colonial OrderThe Emergence of Gandhi and the Spread of the Nationalist Struggle Loyal to British at start of war
But war casualties and costs mount Inflation, famine Promises broken
Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, 1919 Greater Indian participation in government
Rowlatt Act, 1919 Civil rights restricted (freedom of press), revolutionist rounded up Gandhi protests
Mohandas K. Ghandi Nonviolence
Satyagraha, or truth force, Unlike Tilak, appealed to both the masses and the Western-educated nationalist
politicians. emphasis on nonviolent but persistent protest weakened British
control of India. Under his leadership, nationalist protest surged in India during the
1920s and 1930s.
European Colonial OrderEgypt and the Rise of Nationalism in the Middle East Egyptian nationalism
mutiny of Ahmad Orabi 1882 British occupation aimed at liberation Egyptian
from Turks Lord Cromer
Economic reforms, public works projects Reforms benefited upper classes Journalists led the way
1890s Political parties form
Harsh repression Focuses Egyptian nationalism
By the early 20th century, decades of ill will between the British and the population led to violence on both sides.
Dinshawi Incident, 1906 British officers shooting pigeons for sport shot and wounded the
wife of the iman (religious leader) by accidentBritish grant constitution, 1913 The outbreak of World War I saw a temporary decrease of hostilities
in Egypt, but then….
European Colonial Order
Revolt in Egypt, 1919 Egypt a British protectorate, 1914
Martial law to protect Suez Canal War drains Egyptian resources Egyptians refused to present at Versailles
By the end of the World War I, Egypt was ripe for revolt. Students and, significantly, women, led large demonstrations against colonial rule. British withdrawal began in 1922.
To withdrawal from Canal zone, 1936
European Colonial OrderWar and Nationalist Movements in the Middle EastMustafa Kemal (Ataturk, father of the Turks) 1923 A Turkish republic was formed on the basis of a
Western model. England and France divided the defeated Ottoman
Empire’s Arab holdings into mandates Promises to former Ottoman subjects Reneged
World Zionist Organization Zionism Theodore Herzl
Balfour Declaration of 1917 “establishment in Palestine of a national home for
the Jewish people” Approved by the League of Nations on July 24, 1922. These conflicting movements led to great tension in
the Middle East We still see today
European Colonial OrderThe Beginnings of the Liberation Struggle in Africa WWI
supported their British and French occupiers in World War I, promises of nationhood after the war. those promises went unfulfilled, protests ensued
Drained resources Western-educated Africans gain authority
alarmed the European powers and encouraged anti-colonial sentiments.
Pan-African movement (Americans) Marcus Garvey W.E.B. Du Bois
Paris By the 1920s, pan-Africanism faded, replaced by the brand of
nationalism seen in other colonies. Négritude (literary movement)
Sédar Senghor Aimé Césaire Léon Damas
The great age of African independence came after World War II
World War I, Its Impact… Set many templates for the 20th century. The decline of European hegemony, The emergence of the United States and
Japan on the global stage Communist rule in Russia were results of
the war Nationalist surges in European colonies Increased political power of labor
organizations and women.
Ch.28 in Review What started World War I? How did militarism grow out of the
conflicts among European nations? Why did European nations form alliances? Why were the Balkans at the center of
the conflict between European powers? What event led to Great Britain’s entering
the war against Germany? Why did Italy switch sides?
Ch.28 in Review What started World War I?
(M.A.I.N.) Militarism-Alliances-Imperialism-Nationalism How did militarism grow out of the conflicts among
European nations? Thought that their goals could only be achieved by
threat or use of force. Why did European nations form alliances?
To maintain the balance of power. Why were the Balkans at the center of the conflict
between European powers? An outlet to the sea, its own nationalism, & Pan-
Slavism What event led to Great Britain’s entering the war
against Germany? Germany’s disregard for Belgian neutrality
Why did Italy switch sides? Share of the Spoils, problem with Triple Alliance