Chapter 23: War and Revolution

I. The Road to World War I

• A. Nationalism– i. French fervor over Alsace-Lorraine lingers from

Franco- Prussian War.– ii. Pan- Slavism: Slav Culture should unite into an

empire, Serbia is the agitator and Austria- Hungary is alarmed, Russia’s role is in question

– iii. Internal dissent- socialist labor movement leads to violent strikes

• B. Imperialism- New Nation States & established empires compete economically in post industrial world for new markets, colonies, & trade. They need to be protected & safeguarded in a more global market

• C. Alliances- Defense agreements among nations– i. Triple Alliance = Italy, Germany, Austria- Hungary– ii. Triple Entente = France, Russia, Great Britain – iii. Minor conflicts have potential for major war

• D. Militarism- Glorification of War and Military, Aggressive preparation, influence of military leaders– i. Enemies measure their opponents- spending,

programs, readiness– ii. Politicians seek more $$$ for military build up– iii. Mandatory conscription– iv. Actions lead to reactions

• E. Outbreak of war– i. The Serbian problem- Pan

Slavism leads to peace keeping mission by Francis Ferdinand & wife Sophie to Sarajevo• a. Assassination Plot- Black

Hand (Union of Death) tries bombing the route (fails), Gavrilo Princip (19) guns them down in an alley

• b. Austria- Hungary responds with ultimatum to Serbia with German backing 48 hours to agree or war. Serbia complies with all but one WAR

– ii. Alliances in motion- All sides believe the others will back down• A .Russia supports Serbia (Slavic Cousins), France

follows suit• B. Germany declared war on Russia and France• C. Great Britain remains neutral temporarily• D. Germany invades Belgium to get to France• E. Britain is pledged to protect Belgium neutrality• F. Britain declares war on Germany

II. The War• Intro: Voices from the

past = Delusions/History• A. illusions and stalemate

= “propaganda”= affect public opinion

• 1. Western Front = Schlieffen plan 2 year war– A. Trenches

• 2. Eastern Front- Italy changes sides

• B. The Great Slaughter– 1. Life in the Trenches- 2 parallel trenches 500

miles long, ½ mile- 100 yards “No Mans Land,” barbed wire, mines• a. Life of boredom, terror, cold, mud, rats, disease• b. “Over the Top” = Charge into machine gun fire and

artillery• c. Poison gas = blindness, choking, vomiting, death • The Lost Battalion: Trench Warfare Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQSRReg4rG8

• 2. War of Attrition• 3. Evolution of Air war-

Reconnaissance, pistols, bombs, mounted machine guns• A. Failure of Zeppelins

• 4. Expansion of the war = Gallipoli- Churchill favors a Balkan front to help Serbia and Russia & take out Ottoman Empire and Austria- Hungary = fails

• C. Entry of the United States- America loses neutrality– 1. Sea Battles = blockades would affect good supply and

war materials and ability to wage war• A. “Hunger Blockade”• B. British seizure of ships suspected of contraband• C. Lusitania- passenger liner = 1200 casualties (128 Americans)

• 2. U.S enters the war- public opinion divided – Anti- English vs. Anti- German vs. isolationists = Germany’s dilemma- Challenge British blockade via submarine warfare and risk U.S. intervention or do nothing- Submarine warfare is resumed

• D. Home Front- impact of total war turning the tide- trench war stalemate continues– 1. Total War-

Recruit/draft/train/supply large armies, raise taxes and borrow $, price fixing/freeze wages/ban strikes/rationing/censorship• A. Women replace men- aids

movement for women’s rights– 2. Public opinion wanes- “DORA” =

arrests & censorship, & propaganda hinder peace movements

III. The Russian Revolution• A. Background to Revolution-

unprepared militarily & technologically, incompetent czar, inefficient industry, heavy military losses– 1. Beginnings= fall of the Czar-

Nicholas & Alexandra = unpopular & incompetent, reliance on Rasputin (murdered) = why• A. Strikes erupt because of shortages -

riots and protests• B. Czars’ troops join rioters & refuse to

fire• C. Czars’ generals advise Nicholas to

abdicate

• 2. Provisional government = temporary, led by Kerensky (Duma), vows to continue war- Major blunder

• B. The Rise of Lenin- Lenin = radical Bolshevik, disciple of Marx = worldwide revolution– 1. Lenin returns from exile to

seize opportunity• A. promises end to war,

redistribution of land, transfer of factories/industries to workers

• B. “Peace, land, & bread” gets support from the masses

• C. Bolsheviks Seize Power- Bolshevik revolution- coup d'état takes over essential areas and turns guns on the palace – Bolsheviks call their movement communism Civil War = 3 years (1918- 1921)– A. Lenin makes peace – treaty of Brest- Litovsk concedes

land and population to Germany– B. Strong opposition to communists led by Royalists,

liberals, other socialists & the allies

Anti- Bolshevik Poster

• C. White (Royalists, moderates, liberals) vs. Reds (communists)– 1. Whites = resume

WW1- aid comes from allies and U.S --- Polar Bears

– 2. Reds = Leon Trotsky employs “war communism”

– 3. Czar & Family Killed

• D. Triumph of Communists– 1. Trotsky & war communism = Reinstates draft

(deserters & malcontents shot), gov’t control of banks & industries, seizing of grain, establishment of secret police (cheka) = FEAR Whites defeated in 1921

IV. End of the War

• A. The Last Year 1917- starts badly for Allies- series of tough defeats, Russian Revolution/withdrawal/surrender– 1. US entry changes everything- fresh troops,

materials, psychological boost = Allies advance towards Germany

– 2. Unconditional Surrender- Allies refuse peace with Autocratic Gov’t William II forced to flee

• 3. Armistice Day (Veterans Day) = 11/11 at 11, 1918

• 4. Revolution/ Civil War- Germany & Austria- Hungary experience middle class/ communist struggle as well as ethnic divisions

• B. Peace Settlements– 1. Wilson’s 14 points- propose Free Trade/ Free Seas,

Self Rule, Arms Limitations, end Secret Alliances, League of Nations

– 2. Reality of Paris Peace Conference- Pre War promises obstruct idealistic goals = Wilson, Clemenceau, George, Orlando have different objectives• A. Reparations• B. Revenge & Security- arms limitations & buffers• C. US Senate rejects League of Nations

• 3. Treaty of Versailles- A harsh peace (War Guilt Clause), Reparations, Arms Reductions, buffers and land concessions

• 4. A New Europe- Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia (Serbs, Croats, Slovenes) = All Leave ethnic minorities to create future conflicts– A. Break-up of Ottoman Empire spells

doom for middle east = France controls Lebanon & Syria while Britain controls Iraq and Palestine

• 5. Legacy of WWI- Total war, 10 million dead/ 21 million wounded, disillusionment, and German resentment means revenge