CH 22
Background and Causes
The causes of WWI are usually put into
four MAIN categories:
 Militarism
 Alliances
 Imperialism
 Nationalism

Militarism
“the belief or desire of a government or
people that a country should maintain a
strong military capability and be
prepared to use it aggressively to
defend or promote national interests”
 Governments place a high emphasis on
military expansion

Militarism
•
After 1871 alliances lead to an
armaments race
•
•
Became increasingly serious between 1900 and 1914.
Military expenditures increased
dramatically
• France 10%, Britain 13%, Russia 39%
• Germany being the most militaristic at 73%
Militarism

Conscription- Compulsory enlistment for
state service; typically military
○ Also known as draft

All continental powers had enforced
conscription system after 1870
○
○
○
○
○
○
France since the Revolutionary Wars
A-H by 1868
Germany since 1870
Italy since 1873
Russia since 1874
Great Britain did not have a conscription system
France vs. Germany

Franco-Prussian War
 After war Bismarck wanted to keep France isolated
and weak
 Began building a strong army and navy to do so
 Seeing what Germany was doing France started
building a strong military as well

Both built massive militaries to protect
against one another
Britain vs. Germany

Germany very critical about the Boer
Wars
- 1895 Kaiser William II sent telegram to Boer
president congratulating them on their stand
against the Brits.

Naval rivalry top concern among these
two countries
- In 1897 the Reichstag allocated funds to speed up
naval expansion
- British response was the Dreadnought
Russia

Russo-Japanese War
 After defeat started to rebuild military

Wanted strong military to control interest
in the Balkans
Alliances

Agreement made between two or more
countries to come to the aid if one needs
help.

Secret alliances sprouted all over
Europe starting in the late 1800’s
Alliances

Alliances in the late 1800’s hinged on:
 German and French enmity
 Competing interests in the Balkans by A-H
and Russia
 Germany’s fear of being attacked from both
east and west
1879
The Dual Alliance
1881
Austro-Serbian Alliance
Germany and AustriaAustria-Hungary made
Hungary made an alliance an alliance with Serbia
to protect themselves from to stop Russia gaining
Russia
control of Serbia
1882
The Triple Alliance
Germany and AustriaHungary made an
alliance with Italy to
stop Italy from taking
sides with Russia
1894
Franco-Russian Alliance
1914
Triple Entente (no
separate peace)
Russia formed an
alliance with France to
protect herself against
Germany and AustriaHungary
Britain, Russia and France
agreed not to sign for
peace separately.
1907
Triple Entente
1907
Anglo-Russian Entente
1904
Entente Cordiale
This was made between Russia,
France and Britain to counter the
increasing threat from Germany.
This was an agreement
between Britain and Russia
This was an agreement, but not
a formal alliance, between
France and Britain.
Germany and A-H vs. Russia

Germany enjoyed good relations with
Russia
 1873 Bismarck forged the Three Emperors’
League
 Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878)
○ In 1881 Serbia signed the Austro-Serbian
Alliance
 Why would Serbia sign this alliance if it
looked to Russia for leadership?
Germany and A-H vs. Russia

1879 fearing Russia, Germany and A-H
forged the Dual Alliance.
○ This alliance became a central factor of
European diplomacy for the next thirty-five
years.

1882 Italy joins into an alliance with
Germany and A-H
○ Known as The Triple Alliance
○ G and A-H wanted to keep Italy from joining
with Russia
1879
The Dual Alliance
1881
Austro-Serbian Alliance
Germany and AustriaAustria-Hungary made
Hungary made an alliance an alliance with Serbia
to protect themselves from to stop Russia gaining
Russia
control of Serbia
1882
The Triple Alliance
Germany and AustriaHungary made an
alliance with Italy to
stop Italy from taking
sides with Russia
1894
Franco-Russian Alliance
1914
Triple Entente (no
separate peace)
Russia formed an
alliance with France to
protect herself against
Germany and AustriaHungary
Britain, Russia and France
agreed not to sign for
peace separately.
1907
Triple Entente
1907
Anglo-Russian Entente
1904
Entente Cordiale
This was made between Russia,
France and Britain to counter the
increasing threat from Germany.
This was an agreement
between Britain and Russia
This was an agreement, but not
a formal alliance, between
France and Britain.
Germany Encircled

The last thing Germany wanted was and
alliance between France and Russia.
 Despite the political differences factors drew Russia
and France together.
 Both faced diplomatic isolation
 Cultural ties between France and Russian
aristocracy was still strong.

In 1890, Bismarck dismissed by William
II.
○ 1894 France and Russia agree to the Franco-
Russian Alliance.
Great Britain

Great Britain had been diplomatically
isolated until around 1901.
○ After the Russo-Japanese War; Britain worried
more about Germany than Russia.

The Entente Cordiale (1904) was
reached between Great Britain and
France.
○ Eliminated tension between the two powers
The Moroccan Crisis (1905)
France had interest in Morocco
 Germany only had commercial interest

 William II decided to test the new agreement
between F and GB.
French gov’t reacted with fury but
backed down.
 Algeciras Conference (1906)

○ Forced Germany to recognize French interest
in Morocco
○ Brought Russia and GB closer together
1879
The Dual Alliance
1881
Austro-Serbian Alliance
Germany and AustriaAustria-Hungary made
Hungary made an alliance an alliance with Serbia
to protect themselves from to stop Russia gaining
Russia
control of Serbia
1882
The Triple Alliance
Germany and AustriaHungary made an
alliance with Italy to
stop Italy from taking
sides with Russia
1894
Franco-Russian Alliance
1914
Triple Entente (no
separate peace)
Russia formed an
alliance with France to
protect herself against
Germany and AustriaHungary
Britain, Russia and France
agreed not to sign for
peace separately.
1907
Triple Entente
1907
Anglo-Russian Entente
1904
Entente Cordiale
This was made between Russia,
France and Britain to counter the
increasing threat from Germany.
This was an agreement
between Britain and Russia
This was an agreement, but not
a formal alliance, between
France and Britain.
The Triple Entente

Russia joined with France and GB in
1907
 Feared Germany’s expansion of Army as
well as, A-H.
 Unlike the Triple Alliance they were not
required to come to the aid if another was
attacked.
 It was a moral obligation to protect each
other.
Imperialism

Scramble for Africa- Push to gain control
over parts of Africa.

The Balkans

Asia
Nationalism

Nationalism- intense pride in one’s
country or culture.

East Europe becomes a hot box of
nationalism before World War 1.
The Balkan Tinderbox

The Balkans becomes the key to
maintaining peace in Europe.
 In 1897 Russia and Austria-Hungary agreed
informally to respect the status quo in the region.

In 1903 a revolution led to the
assassination of the king and queen of
Serbia.
 Russia quickly recognized the new king hoping Pan-
Slav ideas would dominate.
 A-H fearing this would drive Serbia closer to Russia,
recognized the fait accompli
The Balkan Tinderbox

Relations between Serbia and A-H
deteriorated when Serbia tried to lessen
its economic dependence.
 Signed a commercial treaty with Bulgaria
A-H responded by banning the import of
Serbian livestock
 1906 and economic battle known as the
“Pig War”

Instability in Turkey

Political instability caused Russia and
A-H desire for the Balkans to increase.

In 1894-1895 the Turkish Sultan had
about 200,000 Armenians murdered.
○ Done because of Armenian nationalism
encouraged by Russia
○ In 1908 a group known as the “Young Turks”
lead a revolt against the Sultan
Bosnia

Turkish instability lead to the Bosnian
Crisis of 1908.
○ At Congress of Berlin 1878 A-H started to
occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina.

October of 1908 after Bulgaria declared
its independence A-H annexed Bosnia
and Herzegovina.
○ Feared that the Young Turks would inspire a
revolt
Bosnia

The annexation was a clear violation of
the agreement of the Congress of Berlin.
○ Russian and Serbia responded with fury.
○ Strained relations with Italy
○ War was avoided with the help of Archduke
Francis Ferdinand.
○ Russia drew closer to Britain.
○ Serbian nationalist groups like the “Black
Hand” gained support in the area.
The Balkan Wars

Italy provided a kindling for another flare
up.
○ 1911 they invaded Libya which became
known as the Tripoli War
○ France agreed to the invasion if Italy would
recognized their influence in Morocco.

The Balkan League formed in 1912
○ First Balkan War lasted less than a month with
victory for the League.
The Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars

Germany didn’t want any Balkan state to
become too strong in fear of nationalist
uprisings.
 The Treaty of London of May 1913

The Second Balkan War – fought
between Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece.
 As a result of the Peace of Bucharest
Germany readied its military.
The Spark

Archduke Francis Ferdinand- heir to the
Habsburg throne.
 More sympathy to South Slavs problems
than being pro-Germany.
 Disliked by the Hungarians

On June 28, 1914 Gavrilo Princip shot
and killed the Archduke and his wife in
Sarajevo.
The Ultimatum

A-H took this assassination as a chance
to crush Serbia.
 William II urged retaliation blaming Serbia
for the assassination
 Germany offers A-H what is known as the
“blank check”
 A-H sends Serbia an Ultimatum July 23,
1914.
Germany’s plan for war
1905 Alfred von Schlieffen creates the
“Schlieffen Plan”
 This was to solve the German fear of
fighting on two fronts.
 Wanted to attack France quickly taking
them out.
 After defeat of the French turn towards
fighting Russia in the West.

France’s plan for the War
France had its version of the Schlieffen
Plan
 Called the “Plan XVII”
 France would send two different armies
to fight Germany.
 Unlike Germany, France didn’t have to
worry about fighting a two front war.

Serbia’s Answer

With Russian backing Serbia mobilized
its military on July 25, 1914.
 Serbia agreed to all the conditions of
A-H
ultimatum except for one thing.
 A-H wanted to be part of the investigation
into the “Serb” plot behind the assassination
of the Archduke.
 A-H would not accept anything but total
compliance.
And so the war begins….

July 28, 1914 exactly one month after
the assassination of the Archduke A-H
declares war on Serbia.
 A-H plots a plan to make it look like its
Russia’s fault if Europe goes to war.
 Britain still hesitant to join due to problems
at home
And so the war begins….
August 1- Germany declares war on
Russia.
 August 3- Germany declares war on
France
 August 4- Great Britain declares war on
Germany when they invaded Belguim

Opening Stages of the War

The Schlieffen Plan was put into effect
early in August of 1914.
 Both sides underestimated each others
capabilities.
 Russia quick mobilization causes Germany
to send troops east.
 Germany gets within 35 miles of Paris
 France signs a secret treaty with Italy.
Opening stages of the war

In November 1914, the last open battle
on the western front takes place.
 Ypres, Belgium British forces stop Germany
from reaching the French Channel.
 Neither side could make any advances and
a stalemate occurs.
 The start of Trench Warfare begins at this
time.
Trench Warfare

Spades and barbed wire become more
important to the fight than rifles.
 Over 6,000 miles of trenches were dug by both
sides in France.

Life in the trenches was not an easy one.
 Had to deal with rats and lice, as well as, enemy
sniper and artillery fire.
 New weapons introduced during this time
presented even bigger obstacles for the troops
that would “go over the top”
New Weapons
New weapons that had never been used
on a wide scale during war are
introduced.
 Examples: machine guns, tanks, air
planes, gas.

New Weapons




Machine gun was
not useful at the
beginning of war.
GB rejected the use
of it.
G seeing its
potential employed it
for defensive
purposes.
As accurate as
about 80 rifles.
New Weapons



Start of the war
used for recon.
Advanced into
fighter planes and
bombers.
Red Baron- German
ace. (Confirmed 80
kills)
New Weapons



Conditions inside the
tanks were miserable
for the crew.
First primarily used for
clearing path for
infantry in “no man’s
land”
First tank vs. tank
battle took place in
1918 between 3
British tanks and 3
German tanks.
New Weapons



Poison gas prior to
WWI considered
uncivilized.
Two primary gases
used; chlorine, and
mustard gas.
At the start of the war
casualties from poison
gases were high by
the end it was rare to
have a casualty.
Home Front

Waging a full scale war required full
support on the “home front”
 Propaganda became increasingly popular to
get this full support.

Political divisions began to be pushed
aside.

Daylight savings time put into action.
Soldiers and Civilians

Women begin to take over jobs normally
done by men.
 Received lower wages
 Working conditions still bad for women.

Censorship in news paper about the war
comes about in every country.
 This infuriates the soldiers.
Soldiers and Civilians

Life in the trenches allowed for close
bonds to be made.
 Soldiers didn’t like their commanding
officers.
 Often felt more sympathy for soldiers in the
other trenches than politicians and generals
back home.
 Christmas day 1914, France, Britain,
German troops call for one-day truce.
The Eastern Front

In early stages of the war Russian army
advances into eastern Prussia.
 Russian military equipment. very inadequate
in the beginning stages of war.

In 1915, a German offensive drove
Russia back 100 miles and ended 100
years of Russian control over Poland.
Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Turkey enters the war in 1914 on the
side of the Central Powers.
 British leaders like Winston Churchill
believed strikes on Turkey would undermine
German interest in the Balkans.
 Hoped that this would keep Bulgaria out of
the war.
 This became known as the Gallipoli
Campaign.
Final Stages of the War

The United States remained neutral in
first years of the war.
 Popular sympathy lay with the allies
 Germany tried to capitalize on American
anger over the British blockade.

Woodrow Wilson had been re-elected in
1916 on the promise that he would keep
America out of the War.
Sinking of the Lusitania
Unrestricted submarine warfare was
Germany’s only way to fight Britain's
control of the seas.
 May 7, 1915 a German U-boat sank the
British cruise liner Lusitania.

 Killed 128 U.S. citizens
 Despite denial by the U.S. it was carrying
ammunition to Britain.
Sinking of the Lusitania

September 1, Germany accepts U.S.
demand to stop unrestricted submarine
warfare.

After British victory at the Battle of
Jutland, Germany announced it would
sink any ship in the “war zone”
Zimmermann Telegram

German foreign secretary, Arthur
Zimmerman, made a secret offer to
Mexico
 if they would attack the U.S., then they
would be given back the lost territory in TX,
AZ, and NM
 the note was intercepted by the British
 neither Wilson nor Mexico took the note
seriously
 however, the American public called for war
Russia Withdraws

By 1916 the Russian army was
depleted.
 The Russian home front was on the verge of
collapse.

March 15, 1917 Nicolas II, abdicates the
throne
 Amid demands for political reform, strikes,
and bread riots.
Russia Withdraws

November 6, 1917 revolutionary group
known as the Bolsheviks take control of
the Russian gov’t.

With the Germany army in the Ukraine,
Russia signed the Treaty of BrestLitovsk which ended Russian
participation in the war.
Enter the United States

April 6, 1917 the U.S. enters the war
 Wilson promised the war would “make the
world safe for democracy”
 The U.S. focused its industrial strength on
producing wartime materials.
 Produced an army that reached 4 million
half was in France by November 1918.
 The entry of the United States was fatal for
Germany.
The Fourteen points and peace

January 8, 1918 President Wilson gave
his “fourteen points” speech to Congress
 This was a blueprint for permanent peace.

Germany appeared willing to agree to
Wilson’s plan for peace.
 After a German U-boat sank a British cruise
liner Wilson called off negotiations.

On November 11, 1918 an armistice
was signed bringing an end to fighting in
Europe.
Treaty of Versailles
Paris Peace Conference (Jan. 1919) –
attended by the “Big 4” (leaders of the 4
major Allied powers):
 Woodrow Wilson (U.S.)
 David Lloyd George (G.B.)
 George Clemenceau (France)
 Vittorio Orlando (Italy)

Treaty of Versailles
remember: Russia had dropped out of
the war in 1917 and Italy joined Allies in
1915
 -Goals – Wilson concerned about world
peace – brought 14 Points with him –
 the other 3 leaders wanted to punish
Germany (esp. France)

Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles – officially ended
WWI – compromise – included:
 War Guilt Clause – forced Germany to
take the blame for starting the war (big
mistake!)
 Germany stripped of all colonies and
loses some land in Europe

Treaty of Versailles
-Alsace Lorraine back to France,
territory taken from Germany and used
to create Poland
 Germany forced to pay reparations
(payment for damages) to Allies - $33
billion total

Treaty of Versailles

German military restricted
 -not allowed to have Air Force
 -navy restricted
 -army reduced to 100,000

League of Nations created
Treaty of Versailles

Germany signed it on June 28, 1919

Republicans in Congress were upset
that they were not represented in
Versailles.
 they refused to approve the treaty The U.S.
never joined League of Nations (very weak
without U.S.)