World War I
1914-1918
Why was World War I a critical
development in global history?
The first large-scale industrial war
 Colonies dragged into conflict
 Enormous costs (financial & human
resources)
 USA taken more seriously on world stage
 Revolution in Russia  Soviet Union (try
Communism)
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Why was World War I a critical
development in global history?
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Japan a greater imperial power in Asia
Old Empires collapse (ex. Ottoman Empire)
 Middle East in hands of Europeans (Epic Fail!)
 Jews promised land in Middle East
Colonies see European weaknesses
Strengthened nationalist movements in colonies (want
self-determination)
Groundwork for further turmoil in Europe
 Paris Peace Conference, 1919 (Epic Fail!)
 League of Nations (Epic Fail!)
 Totalitarian regimes in Germany & Italy – WANT
REVENGE! (Epic Fail!)
Causes of World War I
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M.A.N.I.A. swept through Europe!
M. ilitarism
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needed larger militaries to protect empires
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European countries compete  arms race!
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ex. Germany vs. Britain
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dreadnoughts
conscription
u-boats
war glorified
A. lliances
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Complex alliance systems developed during
1800s – early 1900s for mutual protection
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Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, Italy
(formerly a Central Power)
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Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Ottoman Empire
N. ationalism
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Competition & antagonism between nations
Intense nationalistic passions of European
nations  clash with other nations’ interests
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Examples:
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Pan-Slavism of the Balkans  hold off threats by
Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empire
Fears of growing German strength
Russia sees self as protector of all Slavic peoples
I. mperialism
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Industry drives colonial land-grabbing
European nations competed for colonies
= $$$ and Prestige!
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Arguments over control of:
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Africa
Asia
The Balkans
A. ssassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
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Balkans = “powder keg of Europe”:
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ethnic rivalries between people of Balkans
major rival powers have different interests there
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Serbian terrorist organization assassinated
heir to throne of Austria-Hungary
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Powder keg explodes!
A New Kind of War
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Trench warfare
stalemate
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Industrial warfare
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Tanks
Airplanes
Submarines
Machine guns
Chemical weapons
Non-Europeans participate
Massive casualties for minimal gains
High Costs of War
High Costs of War- Human
Of the 65 million men who fought:
• 8 million killed in battle
• 2 million died of illness & disease
• 21.2 million wounded
• 7.8 million POW or MIA
Some towns and villages lost every single one of
their male members of fighting age
Civilian losses- 6.8 million
High Costs of War- Financial
European economy destroyed
Industry damaged- in some cases ruined
High death toll = loss of skilled tradesmen
Loss of skilled tradesmen = no one to repair
infrastructure
High Costs of War- After Cost
Disabled soldiers need care
Homes, factories, infrastructure need rebuilding
Cemeteries need to be built
Bodies need to be removed from shallow graves at
trenches
Europe is “marked”
Paris Peace Conference
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January 1919Versailles
Delegates from 23
countries
BIG FOUR
Not representedRussia, Germany, or
their allies
Treaty of Versailles
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Establishes League
of Nations
Punishes Germany
War Guilt Clause (Article 231)
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Sole responsibility for war on Germany
Reparations
Loss of territories
Creation of New Nations
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Western powers sign separate treaties with
Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire
HUGE land losses for Central Powers
Map redrawn (next slide)
NOT a Lasting Peace
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U.S. rejected Treaty of Versailles
Treatment of Germany = Very hard feelings
Africa & Asia angry
Japan & Italy not satisfied
We are set up for future conflict….