Download - Australia and the First World War
1914-1918
Australia and the
First World War
9AHSE Ms Costello
These changes lead to conflicts,
jealousies and differences
that were not easily reconcilable.
Monarchies and democracies alike
sought to cope with the changes
and to protect their authority.
Prelude to War
A long time ago in a Continent
far, far away....
Meanwhile, as the major European
nations sought to expand their wealth
and territories,
they also needed to protect them.
Thus they looked for partners
they could turn to in case of war
Industrial expansion
and wealth, both
personal and national,
had a profound impact on
economic life.
In the four
decades prior to
August 1914, the western
world was undergoing
unprecedented changes
in every area of society.
Prelude to WarIn the four decades prior to August 1914, the western world was undergoing unprecedented changes in every area of society.
Industrial expansion and wealth, both personal and national, had a profound impact on economic life.
These changes lead to conflicts, jealousies and differences that were not easily reconcilable.
Monarchies and democracies alike sought to cope with the changes and to protect their authority.
Meanwhile, as the major European nations sought to expand their wealth and territories, they also needed to protect them. Thus they looked for partners they could turn to in case of war
Causes of the War Historians have traditionally cited four long-term
causes of the First World War IMPERIALISM – Economic and political control
over weaker nationsNATIONALISM – a devotion to the interests and
culture of one’s nationMILITARISM – policy of maintaining a strong
military organisation in aggressive preparedness for war
ALLIANCE SYSTEM – By 1907 Europe was divided into two armed camps
ImperialismFor many centuries,
European nations built empires across the globe in order to control as much territory as they could.
Reasons for ImperialismWhy European nations competed with each
other to gain colonies
Power and prestige - The more territory that they were able to control the more powerful and important they thought they could become.
Natural resources. These could be brought to Europe and turned into manufactured goods.
New markets for their manufactured goods. These goods could be sold in Africa for large profits.
To prevent others from taking that region
The Scramble for Africa was a process of invasion,
occupation, colonisation and annexation of African territory by European powers during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and World War I in 1914
NationalismOften nationalism led
to rivalries and conflicts between nations. Additionally, various ethnic groups resented domination by others and wanted independence. Finally, Russia and Austria-Hungary disagreed over the treatment of Serbs in central Europe.
Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary while Russia, France and
Britain were partners
Militarism Empires had to be defended and
European nations increased military spending enormously in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Britain had long ruled the seas as it had the strongest naval fleet
By 1890 Germany had surpassed Britain as the strongest nation militarily in Europe
Germany had a strong army and built up a navy to rival England’s fleet.
France, Italy, Japan and the United States quickly joined in the naval buildup.
There was fierce competition between Britain and Germany for
mastery of the seas and Battleships were being stockpiled
from the late 19th century. HMS Dreadnought was a battleship
of the British Royal Navy that revolutionised naval power. The
Germans soon followed suit introducing their own battleships.
Alliance System By 1907 there were two
major defense alliances in Europe
The Triple Entente (later known as the Allies) consisted of France, Britain, and Russia
FRANCE BRITAIN RUSSIA
TRIPLE ENTENTE
European Alliances in 1914
Triple Entente
The Triple Entente or Allies
France, Britain, and Russia
1914 Russian propaganda poster. The upper inscription reads “Agreement". The
uncertain Britannia on the right and Marianne
(French emblem of liberty and reason) on the left look to the determined
Mother Russia (centre) to lead them in the coming
war
The Triple Alliance
The Triple Alliance, later known as the Central Powers, consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Soon joined by the Ottoman Empire)
Triple Alliance
An Artists impression of the Triple Alliance.Germany is depicted on the leftAustria-Hungary on the right andItaly below and centre
European Alliances 1914
The BalkansThis part of Europe has always been strongly subdivided culturally and linguistically from the rest of Europe due to Greek & Turkishinfluences
Igniting a Powder KegThe Balkans
The Balkan region was considered “the powder keg of Europe” due to competing interests in the area.
Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea. Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire.
The Balkans
Austria-Hungary, which had taken control of Bosnia in 1878, accused Serbia of subverting its rule over Bosnia.
The Balkans
Bosnia
Finally, in June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne was gunned down in Sarajevo, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian radical igniting a diplomatic crisis.
This is incident is regarded as the ‘spark’ that triggered the First World War
Igniting the Powder Keg
Serbian radical Gavrilo Princep travels to Sarajevo
Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, travelled with his wife to Sarajevo
Igniting the Powder Keg
The Fighting Begins The Alliance system pulled
one nation after another into the conflict – The Great War had begun. On August 3, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, following a strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. This plan called for a quick strike through Belgium to Paris, France. Next, Germany would attack Russia
The plan was designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany.
The Schliefflen Plan
HISTORY
28.2.13 Today we will:
- Review Exercise (Name the two alliance and the countries involved)- Check Bookwork policy is signed- Examining the following:- Chain of events that lead to World War- Map worksheet – Alliances and Schlieffen Plan- Australia’s enthusiasm for war- Causes of WWI wordsearch- Our class wiki http://rhhscostello.wikispaces.com/
Do now: (and do every time you walk into the classroom)1. Take out your book, diary, pencil case, ruler - write today's date in your book2. Write the heading (underline all headings) Today we will : and copy list above3. Move directly on to Review Exercise
• Write the heading Review Exercise in your books (and underline)• Write 5 facts, ideas, concepts that you remember from the previous lesson
(Alliance systems – see above)
Ms Costello
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to the ‘July Crisis’
and Austria-Hungary
declaring war on Serbia
30 July Russia began to mobilise due to its alliance
with Serbia, Germany then
put the Schlieffen plan into action
and declared war on Russia (1st
August)
3rd August German army then launched its attack
on Russia's ally, France, through
Belgium
Great Britain had an agreement to defend Belgium
this brought them and all nations of
the British Empire into the
war as well.
Australia stands behind the ‘Mother Country’ to ‘defend her to our last man
and our last shilling’
The Great War
A Chain of Events as a result of
Alliances
Great Britain declares war on
Germany 4th August 1914
Assassination 28 June 1914
COUNTRIES THAT FOUGHT IN WWI TRIPLE ENTENT OR ALLIED POWERS
France (1914 -1918)British Empire (1914 -1918) + all members of its Empire including Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, South AfricaRussian Empire (1914–17)Belgium (1914 -1918)Montenegro (1914–16)Japan (1914 - 1918)Serbia (1914 – 1918)*Italy (23 May 1915–18)Romania (1916–18)Portugal (1916–18)Brazil (1916-18) Greece (1917–18)United States (1917–18)+ others colonies of the European Powers
CENTRAL POWERS OR TRIPLE ALLIANCE
Austro-Hungarian Empire (1914 -1918)German Empire + German colonial forces (1914 – 1918)Ottoman Empire (Turkey) secretly from 2 August 1914 & openly from 29 October 1914 – 1918Kingdom of Bulgaria (1915 – 1918)
*N.B. Italy, although an original member of the Central Powers alliance, fought on the side of the Allied Powers from 1915. The original Triple Alliance was intended to be limited to defensive purposes only. Declaring war on Serbia was aggressive and not defensive action so Italy withdrew their support and fought on the other side.