World War I

Glencoe World History Chapter 23

SSWH16 The student will demonstrate an understanding of long-term causes of World War I and its global impact.

a. Identify the causes of the war; include Balkan nationalism, entangling alliances, and militarism.

b. Describe conditions on the war front for soldiers; include the Battle of Verdun.

c. Explain the major decisions made in the Versailles Treaty; include German reparations and the mandate system that replaced Ottoman control.

d. Analyze the destabilization of Europe in the collapse of the great empires; include the Romanov and Hapsburg dynasties.

Causes of WWI

   Nationalism – Thought this would lead to cooperation?!?!?! Entangling Alliances – Triple Alliance (1882)  Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy – Triple Entente (1907)  France, Great Britain, and Russia Militarism – aggressive preparation for war – Growth of mass armies – After 1900 draft present in most European countries

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The Spark that led to War

June 28, 1914- A member of a Serbian terrorist organization, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie Archduke Francis Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne States in Southeast Europe had been struggling for many years to free themselves from Ottoman rule Serbia wanted a large Slavic state in the Balkans; Austria-Hungary determined this was NOT happening

The Spark that led to War

    Austria Hungary made harsh demands which Serbia refused to meet. July 28, 1914- Austria Hungary along with its ally, Germany, declared war on Serbia, who was supported by its ally, Russia. Within a week, Austria Hungary and Germany were at war with Russia, France, and Great Britain Before the war ended, 30 countries on six continents would be involved

Two Sides

 Central Powers – Austria Hungary – Germany – Ottoman Empire  Allied Powers (Allies) – France – Russia – Great Britain – Italy (joined in 1915)

Western Front

 Germany hoped for a quick end to the war  Germany stopped at the First Battle of the Marne  600 mile line from the Swiss border to the English Channel Western Front  No man’s land~ area in between the trenches  Thousands died, no one able to break through enemy line or end the trench warfare

Eastern Front

 Marked by mobility   Russians faced enormous losses – 2.5 million Russians killed, captured, or wounded Germany, Austria-Hungary, and ally Bulgaria eliminated Serbia and moved to the Western Front  Italy betrayed Germany by attacking Austria in May 1915

Conditions on the Warfront

 Generals did not know how to deal with trench warfare in west  During 1916 and 1917 millions died in search of the elusive break through  In 1916, in 10 months at Verdun, France, 700,000 men lost their lives over a few miles of land  War of attrition  Living in holes in the ground  Decomposing bodies, rats, etc…

Military Situation in 1917

     By 1917, Allies had faced enormous losses Allied offensives on the Western front had been badly defeated Tsar of Russia deposed and new government established- Bolsheviks (Communists) Russian Revolution in November 1917, led to their withdrawal a few months later ceding territory to Germany American entry a bright spot to a bleak year – Provided a much need psychological boost – Fresh men – Fresh material

Germany’s Last Bid for Victory

 March 1918~ Germany launched a powerful campaign to end the war  By April, they were 50 miles from Paris  July 18, German advance stopped at the Second Battle of the Marne by a combined force of French, Moroccan, and American troops supported by tanks

World War I Map Activity

Paris Peace Conference

 January 1919  27 victorious allied nations met to make a final settlement but there were problems… – Secret treaties (Territories, Reparation Payments, etc…) – National interests – Germany not invited to defend themselves – Russia in a civil war and could not come

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Big Four

Great Britain – Prime Minister David Lloyd George – Elected on platform “Make Germany Pay” France – Premier Georges Clemenceau – Wanted national security from Germany invasion & revenge Italy – Vittorio Orlando- Smaller role than the big three powers The United States – President Woodrow Wilson – Wanted lasting peace… compromised believing the League of Nations would fix any unfair settlements; Senate refused to ratify the agreement

Treaty of Versailles

   Late June 1919, final peace treaty signed 5 separate treaties with Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey Germany is the most significant – Germany responsible for starting war – Must pay reparations for all the damage to the Allied countries – Reduce army, navy and eliminate Air Force – Zone was completely demilitarized – Alsace & Lorraine returned to France

Results of the Treaties

 Ottoman Empire broken up  Poland recreated from sections of East Germany  Austro-Hungarian empire disappeared  Czechoslovakia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Yugoslavia were created (from former Austro-Hungarian Empire)

Mandate System

 To gain support of Arab states in the Ottoman Empire, West promised them independence, but changed their minds after the war…  Mandate system developed- a nation officially governed another nation on behalf of the League of Nations but did not own the territory  France- Lebanon & Syria  Great Britain- Iraq and Palestine

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Impact

Death of almost 10 million people  Revolutions broke up old empires (Russian Revolution- Romanov dynasty and the Hapsburg dynasty in the Austro-Hungarian empire) and created new states  Power of governments increased; strong central authority a way of life  Communism became a factor in global conflict as other nations turned to its ideology.