“The End of the World as we Know It” Europe and the Great War that became known as World War I

“The End of the World as we Know It” Europe and the Great War that became known as World War I

M.A.I.N. Causes of the War • aggressive • preparation for • war • by 1907, Europe • was divided into • two armed camps • economic and • political control • over weaker • nations • devotion to the • interests and • culture of one’s • nation But what about Franz Ferdinand?

Militarism • During the Industrial Revolution, many European nations greatly increased their ability to produce “stuff.” • Empires had to be defended and European nations increased military spending enormously in the late 19th and early 20th century. • Countries such as Germany and France began applying their industrial production power to an arms race. • Germany had a strong army and built up a navy to rival England’s fleet. France, Italy, Japan and the United States quickly joined in the naval buildup. • Militarism made countries feel patriotic or nationalist, but also increased distrust among nations of Europe.

Alliances • By 1907 there were two major defensive alliances in Europe. • Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy. • Triple Entente of France, Great Britain, & Russia. • Secret alliances increased distrust among the nations. This aggressive “teaming up” made Europeans paranoid.

Imperialism • After the Industrial Revolution, the European powers, including Great Britain, Germany and France, needed new markets for their goods and new producers of raw materials. • They looked to Asia, Africa and the Middle East, lands which they considered there for the taking, and established colonial control. • Countries saw that Imperialism made them powerful. More colonies = stronger, better. • The countries of Europe competed for what little “unconquered” lands remained. These rivalries caused tension and distrust among the nations of Europe. Back

Nationalism • Often nationalism led to rivalries and conflicts between nations. Additionally, various ethnic groups resented domination by others and wanted independence . • European governments fueled prejudice and mistrust against neighboring, rival nations. • This distrust of others and extreme patriotism led to the countries teaming up, because “my enemy’s enemy is my friend.”

Assassination in Sarajevo • Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife, Sophia, were murdered in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia in June 1914. • His assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a 19-year old Serbian nationalist and member of the terrorist group the “Black Hand.” • This was the spark that lit the fuse and led to the outbreak of war. It was not a CAUSE. It was more like the excuse for fighting to break out.

The Fighting Begins • The Alliances pulled one nation after another into the conflict – The Great War had begun. • On August 3, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, following a strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. • This plan called for a quick strike through Belgium to Paris, France. Next, Germany would attack Russia. • The plan was designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany.

The War Becomes A Stalemate • Unable to save Belgium, the Allies retreated to the Marne River in France where they halted the German advance in September of 1914. • Both sides dug in for a long siege. • By the spring of 1915, two parallel systems of deep trenches crossed France from Belgium to Switzerland. • There were 3 types of trenches: front line, support, and reserve. • Between enemy trenches was “no man’s land” – an area pockmarked with shell craters and filled with barbed wire.

* The Great War was fought on two fronts: The Western Front in France and the Eastern Front in Russia and Germany.* The realities and difficulties of trench warfare, along with the new technological advances in killing led to millions of deaths.

The Home Front & Propaganda • Total War: The countries of Europe committed everything to fighting the war. Civilians at home were needed to help fight the war by working hard in factories, rationing or saving food, and supporting the governments’ policies during the war.

First Battle Of The Somme • During the First Battle of the Somme - which began July 1, 1916 and lasted until mid-November – the British suffered over 60,000 casualties the first day. • Final casualties for the First Battle of the Somme totaled 1.2 million, yet only 7 miles of ground were gained. • This bloody trench warfare, in which armies fought for mere yards of ground, lasted for three years.

Americans Question Neutrality • In 1914, most Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 • miles away – they wanted neutrality. • Some simply did not want their sons to experience the horror • of warfare. • German-Americans supported Germany in World War I; however, • many Americans felt close to the British because of a shared ancestry • and language. • Most importantly, American economic interests were far stronger • with the Allies.

The War Hits Home • During the first two years of the war, America was providing (selling) weapons, ammunition, & other war materials and supplies to the allied forces. • Both the British & Germans imposed naval blockades on each other, with the Germans using U-boats (submarines) to prevent shipments across the North Atlantic. • Any ship found in the waters around Britain would be sunk.

The Lusitania Disaster • U.S. involvement in World War I was hastened by the Lusitania disaster. • The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that carried 1,959 persons on a fateful trip on May 7, 1915. • A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner killing 1,195 passengers, including 123 American tourists. • The Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition. • Americans were outraged and public opinion turned against Germany & the Central Powers.

America Edges Closer To War Several factors came together to bring the U.S. into the war: • 1) Germany ignored Wilson’s plea for peace. • 2) The Zimmerman Note, a telegram from the German foreign minister to the German Ambassador in Mexico, proposed an alliance. Germany promised Mexico a return of their “lost territory” in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. • 3) The sinking of four unarmed U.S. merchant ships by German U-boats.

America Declares War • April 2, 1917, senators, representatives, ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court, and other guests crowded into the Capital building to hear Pres. Wilson ask for a declaration of war. • Wilson said, “The world must be safe for democracy.” • April 6, 1917 Congress passed the resolution & declared war on Germany.

Russian Revolution, 1917-1922 From Czarist Russia to Lenin’s USSR The Russian Revolution occurred in 3 phases: March Revolution, Bolshevik (November) Revolution, & Civil War. 1) The March Revolution of 1917 Causes: - Heavy loss of lives in WWI - Food Shortages - Military defeats - Power hungry rulers Goals: - Overthrow the Czar - Set up new Russian republic Results: - End of the Czarist Rule - Beginnings of a constitution - Continued war with Germany

The Fall of The Czar

Russian Revolution, 1917-1922 2) The November Revolution of 1917 Causes: - Continued loss of lives in WWI - Continued food shortages - Continued military defeats - Return of Lenin Goals: - Bolshevik overthrow of government - Ideals of Karl Marx applied to Russia Results: - Bolshevik-run soviets control government - End of private ownership of land - Peace with Germany - Outbreak of civil war

Russian Revolution, 1917-1922 3) The Russian Civil War, 1918-1921 Causes: - Lenin & Bolsheviks wanted to keep control of Russia - Non-Bolsheviks (Whites) wanted Lenin & Bolsheviks out of power Goals: - Red Army (Bolsheviks) under Trotsky attempted to wipe out all White opposition - White forces attempted to destroy Bolsheviks & their supporters Results: - Lenin made peace with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) - The Cheka (secret police) formed by communists - Policy of “war communism” - Red Army organized & led by Trotsky defeated the White forces

The Communist State Under Lenin • Communists produced a new constitution that: * set up an elected legislature, later called the Supreme Soviet * gave all citizens over 18 the right to vote * placed all political power, resources, and means of production in the hands of the workers and peasants • The new government united much of the old Russian empire in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), or Soviet Union • It was made up of many republics, or states • Russia was the largest republic & controlled the others

Soviet Union, 1917–1938

American Power Tips the Balance • America was not ready for war – only 200,000 men were in service when war was declared • Congress passed the Selective Service Act in May of 1917 • By the end of 1918, 24 million had signed up & almost 3 million were called to duty; about 2 million Am. troops reached Europe • U.S. entry into WWI had immediate impact in 3 areas: 1) raised Allied morale 2) gave Allies much needed resources a) industrial & agricultural b) human 3) U.S. Navy began convoy system on the seas • When Russia surrendered to the Germans in 1917, it allowed the Central Powers to focus on the Western Front • Jan. 1918, Pres. Wilson issued Fourteen Points, his list of terms for resolving WWI & future wars • March 1918, Germany mounted series of offensives that pushed Allies back; by May, the Germans were within 50 miles of Paris; American forces arrived and immediately played a major role in pushing the Germans back • July 1918, Allies counterattacked & pushed Germans back toward Germany

The Great War Ends • Fall 1918, resistance of Central Powers collapsed & war finally ended 1) Sept. 30, Bulgaria surrendered 2) Oct. 30, Turkey surrendered 3) Nov. 4, Austria-Hungary surrendered 4) Nov. 11, Germany surrendered after abdication of William II on Nov. 9

Making the Peace • Jan. 1919, delegates met at Paris Peace Conference to draft 5 peace treaties (Peace of Paris) • The Big Three – Woodrow Wilson (US), David Lloyd George (Br.), & Georges Clemenceau (Fr.) made the major decisions • Wilson conceded on most of his Fourteen Points in return for the establishment of the League of Nations • Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28: 1) Germany reduced & restricted militarily 2) Germany reduced & restricted territorially 3) Germany forced to pay reparations (eventually 35 billion) 4) Germany forced to accept responsibility for the war (Article 231)

The Legacy of WWI * Human Costs - 22 million dead, more than half civilians - an additional 20 million wounded * Political Costs - collapse of governments - unrest in colonies - rising threat of communism * Financial Costs - war loans to repay - factories, farms, homes, & roads destroyed - loss of economic & industrial power in Britain - German reparations * In the years ahead, Europe would continue to pay the costs of war * Americans called World War I, “The War to End All Wars” – however unresolved issues would eventually drag the U.S. into an even deadlier conflict

“The End of the World as we Know It” Europe and the Great War that became known as World War I