imperialism militarism nationalism alliances
TRANSCRIPT
The Great WarOr
“The War to End all Wars”Or
WW1
Causes for WWI
Imperialism
Militarism
Nationalism
Alliances
Imperialism
Europe competes for territory
Why: Industrialization =need for more raw materials and markets.
By 1914 only a few territories remained.
▪ Take lands that had already been taken
▪ Competition for what was remaining.
Industrial Expenditures
Per capita industrialisation levels, 1860-1913 (UK in 1900=100)
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20
40
60
80
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Germany UK USA
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1880
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1913
Overseas Investment
Gross Nominal Value of Capital Invested Abroad in 1914 ($ million)
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UK France Germany Other US
Africa
Asia
Latin America
Western offshoots
Europe
Building Militaries (Militarism)
Because of the uncertain climate, European countries began building huge militaries.
Britain developed the dreadnaught which gave Britain naval superiority.
Germany made plans to build 33 of its own ships
Comparative figures on army increase, 1870-1914:
1870 1914
Russia 700,000 1,300,000
France 380,000 846,000
Germany 403,000 812,000
Austria-Hungary 247,000 424,000
Britain 302,000 381,000
Italy 334,000 305,000
Japan 70,000 250,000
U.S.A. 37,000 98,000
British-German Warship Tonnage Ratio
Troop Level Changes
Total military and naval personnel of the four principal European powers (thousands of men), 1890-1914
0
500
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1890 1900 1910 1914
Russia+France
Germany+Austria-Hungary
More Money for the Militaries
Military expenditures of the two European blocs, 1890-1913 (£ million)
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300
18
90
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91
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92
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93
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94
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Triple EntenteTriple Alliance
Plans of Attack in the Making German has plans
before the war (Schlieffen) Step 1--Quickly
occupy France through Belgium.
Step 2--move to the eastern front (Russia).
▪ They assumed that Russia would take longer to mobilize.
Nationalism
Most of the European countries felt a sense of pride and superiority.
Other ethnic groups living
in Russia, Austria- Hungary and Germany desired unification.
Russia supported the Slavic people, some of which were living in Austria-Hungary and others in Serbia.
Important Example
1908 Austria-Hungary takes Bosnia Serbia believes
Bosnia is rightfully theirs and those living in Bosnia agree
Russia backs Serbia
Alsace-Lorraine
Two provinces on the border of France and Germany. The Rhine river flows through.
France lost Alsace Lorraine to Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 to Germany
France saw the territory as theirs and wanted it back
Alliances
A complex system of alliances were established among European nations.
The alliances entangled European countries with one another.
Can you ID the figures
Summary of Alliances
The Dual Alliance--1879 Austria-Hungary and
Germany
A defensive treaty– Stated that if either country was attacked by another, they would support each other
The Triple Alliance—1882 An extension of the
Dual Alliance where Italy would assist if Germany was attacked and remain neutral if Austria-Hungary was attacked
All would attack if both Russia and France attack
Alliances Cont.
The Reinsurance Treaty---1887 Russia and Germany
were to remain friendly with one another and support each other if an attack took place
Conflicted with the Dual Alliance
Treaty lapsed when Bismarck was gone in 1890
Franco-Russian Alliance– 1892 Russia and France
agreed to support one another in case of an attack by another country.
This created two teams of countries and led to suspicion and friction
Alliances Cont.
Anglo-JapaneseAlliance1902
Japan feared Russian encroachment in Northern China
Britain feared German naval growth, French encroachment in Africa and Russian encroachment in the far east.
Entente Cordiale 1904
Agreement between France and Britain.
France would recognize Britain in Egypt and Britain would leave France alone in Morocco.
Alliances Cont.
Anglo RussianAgreement 1907
Agreement between Britain in Russia to settle territorial disputes
This led to the creation of the Triple Entente which essentially isolated Germany and escalated tension.
Britain, France and Russia
1879The Dual Alliance
Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves from
Russia
1881Austro-Serbian Alliance
Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of
Serbia
1882The Triple Alliance
Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking
sides with Russia
1914Triple Entente (no separate peace)
Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately.
1894Franco-Russian Alliance
Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and
Austria-Hungary
1907Triple Entente
This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing
threat from Germany.
1907Anglo-Russian Entente
This was an agreement between Britain and Russia
1904Entente Cordiale
This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.
Top
Assassination
Austria Hungary annexed Bosnia Many Bosnians wanted to be part of Serbia due
to ethnic ties When Archduke Francis Ferdinand went to visit
his soldiers in Bosnia on June 28th 1914, many Bosnians met his arrival with bitterness.
A terrorist threw a bomb at the Archdukes car, it bounced off and injured two guards
When going to visit the two injured guards, the archduke and his wife were shot by a Bosnian
Austria-Hungary Blames Serbia
The assassination of the Archduke was followed by a threat toward Serbia to cease the support of terrorism in Bosnia.
Unhappy with the reactions of Serbia, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28th, 1914
Gavrilo Princip Assassinating the Archduke, Francis Ferdinand
The Immediate Response
July 28, 1914- Upset by the assassination on the archduke, A-H declares war on Serbia
July 29- Russia, feeling obligated to protect Serbia, begins mobilizing troops.
August 1st- Germany declares war on Russia
Germany occupies Luxumburg and sets the Schlieffen plan into action.
Germany asks Belgium permission to rolll through their country on the way to attack France
Belgium Refuses
Germany does not want Britain to enter the war and Kaiser Wilhelm II (German emperor) suggests that they not proceed. Moltke (the German Chief of General Staff) say that they must since the ball was rolling already
Germany Invades
August 3rd Germany declares war on France
August 4th Germany invades France through Belgium putting the Schlieffen plan into action
Because of a treaty signed by Britain decades earlier promising Belgium’s neutrality, Britain declares war on Germany on August 4th
Theory Vs. Practice
Both sides believed they would be victorious and that the war would be short and limited.
Britain believed that it would be a primarily naval war which they felt they would dominate.
Germany believed that Britain would remain neutral and thought of the treaty that kept Belgium neutral as a scrap of paper.
Miscommunications
A-H believed Germany would help flank the north while they invaded Serbia
Germany figured that A-H would invade Russia while they took care of France.
A-H was forced to split their army and were not able to take Serbia swifttly. In fact, Serbia forced A-H back.
A-H therefore had limited troops to face Russia
The Western Front
Germany swept through Belgium and made their way to the outskirts of Paris where they were stopped by British and French forces
At the Marne River, both sides dug in and fortified their positions.
A stalemate ensued– Trench warfare becomes the tactic of choice
Animated Battlefront
Daily Death in the Trenches
Death was a constant companion to those serving in the line, even when no raid or attack was launched or defended against. In busy sectors the constant shellfire directed by the enemy brought random death, whether their victims were lounging in a trench or lying in a dugout (many men were buried as a consequence of such large shell-bursts).
Similarly, novices were cautioned against their natural inclination to peer over the parapet of the trench into No Man's Land.
Many men died on their first day in the trenches as a consequence of a precisely aimed sniper's bullet.
It has been estimated that up to one third of Allied casualties on the Western Front were actually sustained in the trenches. Aside from enemy injuries, disease wrought a heavy toll.
Rat Infestation
Rats in their millions infested trenches. There were two main types, the brown and the black rat. Both were despised but the brown rat was especially feared. Gorging themselves on human remains (grotesquely disfiguring them by eating their eyes and liver) they could grow to the size of a cat.
Men, exasperated and afraid of these rats (which would even scamper across their faces in the dark), would attempt to rid the trenches of them by various methods: gunfire, with the bayonet, and even by clubbing them to death.
It was futile however: a single rat couple could produce up to 900 offspring in a year, spreading infection and contaminating food. The rat problem remained for the duration of the war (although many veteran soldiers swore that rats sensed impending heavy enemy shellfire and consequently disappeared from view).
Frogs, Lice and Worse
Rats were by no means the only source of infection and nuisance. Lice were a never-ending problem, breeding in the seams of filthy clothing and causing men to itch unceasingly.
Even when clothing was periodically washed and deloused, lice eggs invariably remained hidden in the seams; within a few hours of the clothes being re-worn the body heat generated would cause the eggs to hatch.
Lice caused Trench Fever, a particularly painful disease that began suddenly with severe pain followed by high fever. Recovery - away from the trenches - took up to twelve weeks. Lice were not actually identified as the culprit of Trench Fever until 1918.
Frogs by the score were found in shell holes covered in water; they were also found in the base of trenches. Slugs and horned beetles crowded the sides of the trench.
Many men chose to shave their heads entirely to avoid another prevalent scourge: nits.
Trench Foot was another medical condition peculiar to trench life. It was a fungal infection of the feet caused by cold, wet and unsanitary trench conditions. It could turn gangrenous and result in amputation. Trench Foot was more of a problem at the start of trench warfare; as conditions improved in 1915 it rapidly faded, although a trickle of cases continued throughout the war.
America’s Move Toward War
Ethnic Ties to Europe
30% of all Americans were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants Ties to their homelands
▪ German-Americans + Irish-Americans= Pro G
Most Americans felt closer to GB due to the commonalities that exist and the roots of America
German Aggression
Germany viewed as chief aggressor and therefore, brutes.
▪ Invasion of Belgium described as “a force of nature like a tidal wave, an avalanche or a river flooding its banks,” and destroying libraries cathedrals, and, sometimes, entire town in Belgium and France.
Richard Davis, 1914
British propaganda supported this assertion
Trade
From 1897 to 1914 Americans had seen oversees investment rise from 700 million to 3.5 billion dollars. When the war broke out, the
investments were threatened Wilson’s policy of neutrality supported
continued trade with both nations, though our investments in with the allies were much weightier than those of the central powers.
On and Under the Sea
Britain began using naval blockades to prevent trade. Large corporations (which still had a great deal of
influence on Government at the time) faced the possibility of loosing enormous amounts of money due to the decrease in trade
The naval blockades posed a serious threat to corporate profits
German Submarine Warfare
Naval rules discouraged attacks without warning on merchant ships
Germans began attacking allied ships carrying supplies and blockading German ports.
These attacks posed a serious threat to neutral ships carrying supplies
These attacks also made America distrustful of Germany due to their unconventional methods
Jutland
German’s sent fleet to the North Sea to attack the British blockade.
Ended in stalemate and German retreat
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Germans developed the U1 and U2 submarines which they used to destroy ANY ships that were in the waters surrounding Britain.
The policy of unrestricted submarine warfare led to the sinking of British passenger ships as well as ships transporting American goods to Europe
The Lusitania, the Sussex and More
A British passenger ship carrying Americans is torpedoed and sunk in the by a Germany sub.
America warns Germany and Germany responds with promises
French ship, the Sussex, is sunk less than one year later.
Sussex pledge– another German promise to not sink passenger ships
10 months later– Germany ended this and resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
The Zimmerman TelegramTelegram proposing that Mexico attack U.S. if U.S. enters the war against the Central Powers. In return, Germany promised to help Mexico
regain its territoriesintercepted by AmericansThat’s the last straw--WAR!!!
Other Theories
Some historians believe that Britain and France had ulterior motives and attracted as many neutral ships into the area as possible. Why?
Some historians also believe that the Lusitania was not the cause of America’s entry into the war but rather an excuse. American corporations were making
tremendous profits from the war and the sinking of ships filled with war supplies was resulting in profit losses.
Vying for SupportAmerica on the Home Front
Financing the War
Liberty bonds– A special war bond sold to help raise money for the war efforts.
▪ Provided about 25% of the funding for the war. Over $20 billion was raised by the treasury
To help sell these bonds▪ Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts set up booths on
street corners▪ “four minute men” (usually famous people)
gave short (four minute) speeches to help promote the sale of war bonds
War Industries Board andWar Trade Board
Two new agencies that regulated production and trade. The former told producers what, how
much, and even how much to charge The latter regulated international trade.
▪ Punished those trading with enemy
Government Persuades Businesses to Change Gears of Production
In 1915 Ford opposed the war stating that he would burn his factories to the ground before manufacturing war goods
In 1917 Ford accepted orders for 16000 tanks, 20000 tractors and anti-submarine ships.
Federal aid was provided to entice this change
Governments Regulation of Food and Fuel Consumption
Lever Food and Fuel Control Act▪ Enabled president to regulate distribution of food and
fuel according to the needs of the military
“Food will win the war!”—Worked to increase farm output and reduce waste.
Herbert Hoover led the Food Administration and was given the power to manage how much food people bought, impose price controls, and begin rationing food.
Women’s Role on the Home Front
Women promoted the war effort by preaching the “Gospel of the Clean Plate.”
▪ Stop, before throwing any food away, and ask, ‘Can it be used?’…Stop catering to the different appetites. No second helpings. Stop all eating between meals…One meatless day a week. One wheatless meals a day… No butter in cooking: use substitutes.
Daylight Savings Time
Shifting an hour of sunlight increased the daylight hours therefore
▪ Promoting longer workdays and therefore production increases
▪ Reduced the need for artificial light therefore saving resources
Loyalty: Promoting or Coercing? Banned:
▪ Anything pro-German German Music, writing, language, books, names, etc. German Sheppard, Frankfurter, Hamburger, German Measles, etc.
▪ Anything Anti-Britain (American Rev. Film)
Government hired former muckrakers to begin rallying for support through journalism
Restrictions on immigration to prevent espionage.
General hostility toward Germans “Hate the Huns”
Robert Prager (despite attempt to enlist) lynched.
Repression of Rights
Sedition and Espionage Act Sedition Act made it illegal to voice
anything that was “disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive” about America
Espionage Act– Made it illegal to interfere with the draft.
Tide of War Shifts
Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution Movement to eliminate Monarchy beginning in
early 20th century Radical Bolsheviks (working class) uprisings In March of 1917, Czar Nicholas II no longer in
power British and French hoped that Russia would stay in
the war Germany wanted her out Lenin was escorted to Russia to inspire revolution
Lenin’s goals would help Germany Lenin saw WWI as "One slaveowner, Germany is fighting
another slaveowner, England, for a fairer distribution of the slaves".
Vladimir Lenin, imprisoned in Germany, released and sent to take power in Russia. ( current leader was keeping Russia in the war)
Aftermath
9 million soldiers dead 10 Million civilians dead 7 Million soldiers permanently
disabled 1918 influenza outbreak kills
upwards of 50 million 337 billion dollars spent (4.5 trillion
today) Most countries faced bankruptcy US has 3.5 billion in overseas loans
Wilson’s Vision
•14 Points •The League of Nations•The Treaty of Versailles
14 Points Speech
January 1918– 10 Months before armistice
14 Points came from the collection of work done by a 150 member advisory board
It was a plan for peace based on moral standards– Very idealistic
Used as propaganda and dropped behind German lines to seem as though there would be a just outcome of the war
What were the points?
1. No Secret Treaties2. Freedom of the Seas3. Free Trade4. Disarmament 5. End Colonialism 6. Russia is given its right to independent development7. Belgium restored and evacuated 8. Return of Alsace Loraine to France
9. Italy’s borders were t o be redrawn based on nationality
10. Autonomous development of Austria-Hungary
11. Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and other Balkan states autonomous
12. Turkish autonomy13. Polish independence14. Multilateral association of
nations to maintain peace (eventually the League of Nations)
Reactions: Paris Peace Conference
Many of Wilson's 14 Points were based on progressives’ ideas
The speech was made before other countries were made aware of the plan
Wilson began promoting his plan overseas All the countries were unhappy with parts
of the plan Why?
▪ France wanted reparations▪ Britain did not like the “Freedom of the seas” idea▪ Italy obviously did not like the new borders▪ All the countries wanted to keep their colonial claims
Congresses Reactions
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had been a long-time critic of Wilson
Lodge, after reading the draft of the League of Nations proposal from the Paris Peace Conference, objected and gained wide spread support for this opposition among the Senate
Article X was at the forefront of the opposition
Article X– The League
Collective security agreements. All territorial borders drawn at Versailles
would be respected and protected by members of the league
Borders would be protected using economic sanctions and military force
▪ Why so bad????
Territorial Losses and Future Conflicts
Many Congressmen feared that this would endanger the Monroe Doctrine –
▪ There was an addendum that assured the integrity of the Monroe Doctrine, that helped appease the opposition later
Many were also opposed to creating ties to Europe where future intervention would be inevitable if conflict broke out.
The Big 4 in Paris
Only 4 major countries were involved in the Paris Peace Conference (although many smaller nations wanted to attend because of the nationalistic aims) France– Clemenceau Italy-Vittorio-Orlando Britain-David Lloyd George United States- Woodrow Wilson (Japan was also involved but not as important)
Self-Rule IdeasFailure and Success
The idea of self-rule was strongly opposed by France, Italy and Japan who wanted to maintain control of their colonial claims
The Idea of “Mandate” was introduced that would give Allied control over the territories of the central power until the natives could be “prepared” to rule themselves
Eastern Europe was broken up into a multitude of new nations including: Poland Czechoslovakia The Baltic States Yugoslavia
Regardless of their independence, the minority ethnic groups of the new states saw the new borders as unjust.
The Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919—32 Nations Sign the treaty at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris
Germany had to give up numerous territories, the most notable, France got Alsace-Loraine
War-Guilt Clause (Germany must accept guilt for the war)
Demilitarization and occupation of the Rhineland
German Army <100,000 and no tanks, heavy artillery, aircraft, and limit to navy vessels under 100,000 tons with no submarines
Germany has to pay for all damages to the allied countries
Establishment of the League of Nations
League of Nations
Wilson was a bit unpleased about the harsh outcome of the treaty
He was happy and had absolute faith in the new League of Nations as a peace keeper for the generations to come
European nations all had some faith in the new League of Nations yet all also had felt uncertain and had some misgivings (ie-reactions were uncertain)
Americas Reaction to the League of Nations
Positives It may keep peace Supported by teachers and clergy
Negatives Entangle America in Distant Disputes Legitimacy of actions that may be taken by the League Ethnic Americans
▪ German-Americans did not see that punishment of Germany as being reasonable
▪ Irish-Americans did not like that Ireland was not freed from Britain's control
▪ Italians did not like that Italian territory was taken
What are the differences and why?
The League
The U.S. Senate Votes it Down
Three different votes led to Wilson’s realization that the United States would not be a member of the League of Nations
Why Wilson Preached Morally He refused to include the republicans in
on his plan He was determined to push it through
Results of the League
Early League did not include Germany or Russia. Therefore 3 of the worlds super-powers were not included
Eventually more than 60 member nations.
Lacked credibility because the US did not join
Early Success
Solved issue pertaining to some islands disputed between Sweden and Finland
Dealt with a conflict in Turkey Prevented a war between Bulgaria and
Greece who disputed their border Dealt with other issues including:
▪ Child Slave Labor▪ Drug Addiction▪ Smuggling▪ Financial Aid to those in need
Foundation for UN
The League established the organizations which are now part of the United Nations including:
▪ World Health Organization▪ United Nations High Commission for Refugees▪ International Court of Justice▪ International Labor Organization
Failures
No military force because member nations were not required to provide troops so:
▪ Poland seized Lithuanian town▪ Italy seized Fiume (Port given to Yugoslavia
after war)▪ Russia and Poland went to war ▪ France and Belgium invaded Germany▪ Japan invaded Manchuria
Why WWII
Harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Germans were unable to pay war debts
Massive unemployment Wanted their lands back Hitler promised economic
betterment and the return of the German lands
Resentment and despair
The United States After WWI
The League Wanted to act unilaterally Did not want to be entangled Wanted to secure interests in west Wanted all war debts to be paid
Europe thought the US would forgive some of the debt but they did not. This led to resentment