WORLD WAR I

Social Revolutions explode Russia – Tsar forced to create

national assemblyReformers overthrow Sultan in

1908New technologies more destructiveViolence leads to communism and

fascism

Eve of the War

Each ethnic group should have its own nation

Promote nations interests and assert as superior

Rivalries b/w France, Germany, Austria-Hungary

New independent nations in Balkans – where Ottomans once ruled

Ethnic groups wanted own nation-state, threat to break up Austro-Hungarian Empire

Four Main Causes of WWI 1. Nationalism

Power = possession of overseas coloniesCompetition created tension b/w powers1900 – Britain ruled 1/4 of world

German industrialization threat to GB economic supremacy

Russia interest in Balkans threat to A-H and Turkey

2. Imperialism

Military values and goals take over civilian society

Kings wore military uniformsGenerals influence governmentGB and Germany compete to build

powerful navy

Pressure to mobilize and act quicklyTook time to assemble and move

armies on railroads, leaders attacked first

3. Militarism

Two Large Alliances in EuropeTriple Alliance – Germany, A-H, ItalyTriple Entente – Russia, France and G.B.

(US later)Any dispute b/w any two countries drag

all other in

4. Alliance System

Archduke Franz Ferdinand AssassinatedAustrian leaders believed Serbians

helped a Slav terrorist group (Black Hand)

A-H invaded Serbia, Russia entered to protect Serbia, Germany entered to protect obligations to Austria

G.B. and France entered to help RussiaItaly refused to join since A-H attacked

first

Start of the War

Avoiding two front war, Germany tried to take Paris before Russia entered war

US President Woodrow Wilson urged Americans to remain neutral

Fighting the War

Machine gun, poison gas, submarines, airplanesEasier to defend position than attack

Trench warfare – dug ditches to create fort positionsSeparated by fields of barbed wire

and mines (no man’s land)Neither side could advance, fighting

became stationaryGerman subs (U-Boats) attacked large

ships

New techniques and Weapons

US sent supplies to G.B. and France, German sub attacked ships

U-Boat sank a passenger ship, Lusitania US enters war

Wilson Fourteen Points – redraw Europe map, each nationality gets own state, freedom of the seas, end to secret diplomacy, and create League of Nations

US Enters the War

Used by Governments to influence public opinion

Built up nationalism“War will be over by Christmas”

War Propaganda

Total War- complete mobilization of resources and people

Government powers expandDORA Act passed- protestors =

traitorsWomen’s role drastically increasedBegan fight for women’s rights

Impact on the Home Front

Germany surrenders 1918Paris Peace Conference

Treaty of Versailles – peace with GermanyPeace Terms

1. Germany’s Territorial Loss – Independent Poland created, lost territory in France, Poland and overseas

2. Germany lost navy, army size reduced, pay reparations to Allies for starting war

3. A-H Empire divided into new national states, Turkey lost territory in Middle East

4. League of Nations formed to defend each other against aggressors, weakened when US and Russian failed to join

Aftermath of War