WORLD WAR I

5 May 2010

THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE Germany

Rapid industrialization and modernization after unification

Bismarck extends vote to all adult males weakens the middle-classes introduces socialist legislation to pre-empt

socialist politicians essentially an authoritarian regime

emperor at the helm Parliament/military filled with upper-middle-

class, aristocratic leaders brought a new balance of power to the

Continent strengthened the cause for imperial ventures

THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE

France French found new competition

with/second place power position to Germany difficult

Political and cultural conflicts develop, including the Paris Commune, another revolution

political division between monarchists and republicans on the national stage

THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE

Great Britain Increased suffrage by 1884

almost all males had the right to vote and could do so democratically

Had difficulty extending resources and infrastructure to the empire in both the isles and abroad

feared the growing economic strength of the U.S. and Germany in the late 19th Century

THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE

Russia and Austria-Hungary Both weakened by nationalism

very ethnically diverse empires Russia remained economically

“backwards” Stays authoritarianAlexander’s successors resist all

forms of social change Russia’s weakness (politically,

economically, militarily) exposed in Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05

Austro-Hungarian Empire deeply divided along ethnic lines

efforts to maintain empire by force in Balkans creates political tension in Russia that would have disastrous effects

The West Outside of Europe The United States

late 19th Century a period of dramatic economic/social growth

Immigrants poured into the country, fueling industrialization 40 million between 1880 and 1920

By 1900 is the world’s leading industrial power absence of government intervention and

immigration

The Concert of Europe

Established in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna Quadruple Alliance

Russia Prussia Austria Great Britain

Collective Defense

Metternich

Europe, 1815

Europe, 1900

The Arms Race

Wilhelm II and German aggression Realpolitik versus Weltpolitik

Global role for Germany Navy Empire Influence

Military Buildup The Navy

Wilhelm II models his fleet after Royal Navy

England develops new class of ships, “Dreadnought”

New Mobilization speeds France: 3 days Germany: 2 days

The Arms Race

Land forces Germany: 4, 800,000 men Britain: 380,000 men

Russia Rebuilds 1905 defeated by Japanese Refortification and new railways to the West

Between 1904 and 1913 French and Russian arms expenditures increase 80% German arms expenditures increase 120% Austro-Hungarian expenditures increase 50% Italian expenditures increase 100% Britain raises naval spending from $50 million in the

1870s to $130 million in 1900

“New Imperialism” and Crisis First Moroccan Crisis

Wilhelm II in Tangiers, March 1905 The Bosnian Crisis

Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary, October 1908

Serbia seeks aid from Russia, Austria-Hungary from Germany

Second Moroccan Crisis German “Panther” sent to port at Agadir, July

1911 Sparks fear in Britain, anger in France

France subsequently establishes a full protectorate over Morocco

Diplomacy and New Tensions

New Alliance Systems Three Emperors’ League,

1873 (A-H, R, G) Dual Alliance, 1879 (G, A-H) Triple Alliance, 1882

(+Italy) Strong ethnic ties between

Germany and Austria-Hungary

Italy wants territory in Greece, Turkey, and the Balkans

Entente Cordiale, 1904 Triple Entente, 1907

The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente

The Outbreak of War

Sarajevo, 28 June 1914 Austrian Crown Prince Assassinated by

Bosnian nationalist 28 July Austria-Hungary declares war on

Serbia Belgium, 4 August 1914

Tensions escalated by tensions with Russia over Austro-Serbian conflict

Preemptive Strike as Germans push to Paris

1914

Germany invades Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany. Russia Invades Prussia, 17-19 August New allies

Japan joins the Allied forces 23 August Turkey joins the Central Powers 29 October

War spreads to the seas Battle of the Marne, 6-10 September 1914

French push Germans back 45 miles Germans capture industrial North in France Marks the beginning of the trench deadlock

1915

Total War Women take up men's jobs.

Nurses, clerks, postal workers, government workers, auxiliary soldiers, police officers, bus and railway conductors

3 out of 4 munitions workers women Stalemate continues on the Western Front. London attacked from the air by German Zeppelins

Bombardments begin 19 January The Lusitania passenger liner is sunk, with 1,200 lives lost.

7 May American passengers aboard, creates diplomatic crisis between

US and Germany

1916

Conscription for men aged between 18 and 41 in Britain.

A million casualties in ten months: Germany aims to 'bleed France white'. Battle of Verdun, 21 February-July 1916

400,000 casualties on each side Battle of the Somme, 1 July-13 November

British and French attack on Germans Bombard the German line for one week with

1.6 million shells 20,000 British soldiers dead the first day; 60%

of the Officers involved that day die Total Losses: Britain, 420,000; France,

195,000; Germans, 650,000.

1916-1917

At sea the Battle of Jutland takes place. 31 May to 1 June Largest naval battle at that time No apparent victor

United States joins the war and assists the Allies. US declares war on Germany on 6 April First US troops land in France, 26 June

1917

Battle of Passchendaele, 31 July-6 November 1917 2 week bombardment, 4.5 million shells from 3,000

guns. Early august to 20 September: stalemate (weather) Casualties: Allied, 325,000; German, 260,000 Five-mile gain

German Army retreats to the Hindenburg Line. Tank, submarine and gas warfare intensifies.

1918

Germany launches major offensive on the Western Front. March 1918

Allies launch successful counter-offensives at the Marne and Amiens. 600,000 US troops cross Atlantic 355,000 British Reserves sent to Continent

Armistice signed on November 11, ending the war at 11am.