the road to war n causes of world war i 1. imperialism 1. militarism 1. nationalism 1. alliances
TRANSCRIPT
The Road to War
Causes of World War I1. Imperialism
2. Militarism
3. Nationalism
4. Alliances
The Road to War
Imperialism– Search for new colonies in Africa, Asia, and the
Pacific– France & United Kingdom - prime colonies – Japan - newcomer but colonized Korea, Taiwan, &
parts of China– Italy – new but lacking in strength– Germany, youngest country, trying to establish an
empire
The Road to War
MilitarismBelief that a countries problems can be solved with military action
Buildup of military forces
Military has control over the gov’t and/or industry
Industrial revolution - as countries industrialized they began to see themselves as invincible
The Road to War
NationalismDefined simply as pride in one’s countryPatriotism to the ‘nth’ degreeCountries acted solely in their own self-interestPride in country centered around 1 ethnicity;
other groups were inferiorGroups that want their own country’s (Kurds)
The Road to War
Alliances– European powers that pledged mutual
protection– Took what should have been an isolated
incident and expanded it into a global conflict– Countries thought they are invincible because
of their alliances
The Road to War
Balkan Peninsula
1908
The Road to War
Bosnia was a province of the Austrian-Hungarian empire
Archduke Ferdinand visited Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia on June 28, 1914
Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on
Serbia
The spark that ignited the powder keg:
The Road to War Serbia’s ally, Russia, prepared for war against
Austria-Hungary
Russia’s ally, France, followed suit
Austria-Hungary’s ally, Germany, joined them
Belgium remained neutral until invaded by Germany
Belgium and its ally, U.K., joined with France
Serbian killed F.F.
Russia allied w
/ Serbia
France allied w
/ Russia
Germ
any alliedw
/ A-H
Germany invaded France through Belgium
U.K
. allied w
/ Belgium
A-H declared war on Serbia
World War I
The Road to War
Central Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria
Allied Powers - Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, U.K., and later Italy, Romania, Japan and the USA
Queen Victoria’s grandchildren included:– King George V of
England– Tsarina Alexandra of
Russia– Kaiser Wilhelm II of
Germany– Queens of Spain,
Romania, Norway and Greece
The Road to War
The Great War beginsThe Schlieffen Plan:
Germany invaded France via Belgium
Came within 30 miles of Paris
Offensive by French & British held them back at the Marne
Trench warfare began in September of 1914
The Great War
New weapons - machine guns, poison gas, airplanes, Big Bertha and submarines made warfare deadlier than ever
The Great War
Germans reached a stalemate in France
Russians invaded to their east - became a two front war for the Germans
Germans used u-boats to try to cut-off supplies and troop movements from the U.K.
British blockaded the North Sea and created severe food shortages in Germany
The Great War
North Sea
Irish Sea
J
OffensesVerdun – German offensive Feb. 24, 1916 – Dec. 18, 1916Germans used poison gas on the FrenchNo strategic gain for either sideCasualties
French -550,000German -434,000
Total casualties almost 1 million, with over ½ K.I.A.
The Great War
Somme – offensive by French/British forces July 1, 1916 to November 18,1916Used tanks in battle (with little effect)Offensive ended with Allied Forces gaining a total of 18 kilometersCasualties
British - 420,000French - 200,000Germans - 500,000
Total – over 1 million casualties
The Great War
America declared it neutrality and continued to trade with both sides
1/3 of the American population was made up of 1st generation immigrants
Irish immigrants initially side with the Central Powers
Many Americans oppose warfare and militarism on principle and want to stay out of the war
The Great War
Gradually public opinion shifted toward the Allied Powers
Propaganda played a major role in this shift
Business leaders pressured Congress to prepare for war to protect their trade and assets in the U.K. and France
The Great War
Propaganda
Propaganda
“Gentlemen’s War” ended when the British began arming merchant ships
Early in 1915 Germany advised Americans not to travel on British liners
Lusitania traveled from New York to the U.K. in May, 1915 with over 1200 passengers and miscellaneous cargo
The United States Declares War
German U-boat encountered the Lusitania in the Irish Sea
Fired a torpedo and the Lusitania sank within a few minutes
Over 1200 people, including 128 Americans, died
German claimed the Lusitania was transporting weapons
The United States Declares War
Immediate demands were made to declare war on Germany
President Wilson urged patience
Germans pledged to stop shooting unarmed vessels
War was averted in 1915 Wilson vowed in 1916 to
stay out of the war
The United States Declares War
American industries continued to do business with the British
U-boats were not very effective Cut off from Germany by British
blockade American banks lent France and Britain
millions of dollars during the war
The United States Declares War
The Russian Revolution began in February, 1917.
Overthrew the monarchy and soldiers mutinied
Allied position weakened – fighting shifted to the Western front
USA had been reluctant to support Tsar Nicholas
The United States Declares War
While General Pershing continued to chase Pancho Villa around Mexico…..
The Zimmerman Note was intercepted and made public
The United States Declares War
Note was intercepted by the British and turned over to the Americans in March, 1917
From German Foreign Minister to German Ambassador to Mexico
Proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany
The United States Declares War
Text of Decoded message:"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN.
Zimmerman Note
Early in 1917 Germans reneged on their pledge and began sinking merchant vessels
Under pressure from the USA they made the Sussex Pledge, promising not to shoot on unarmed vessels without warning
Within weeks they reneged on their pledge
The United States Declares War
American bankers and industrialists pressured Wilson to declare war
Russian Revolution put pressure on the Allies
Zimmerman note built resentment toward Germany
Reneging of the Sussex Pledge signaled the end of negotiations
The United States Declares War
On April 2, 1917
President Wilson
asked Congress for a
declaration of war
against Germany.
Congress quickly
complied
American Joins the Great War
Every good war needs a good name– “War to make the world safe for
democracy”– “War to end all wars”
Propaganda encourages men to enlist and Americans to make sacrifices
Propaganda Helps the War Effort
Americans on the European Front
Americans on the European Front
America needs time to prepare for war
American troops help turn the tide in Europe
Conditions in Europe are horrendous
Americans on the European Front
Selective Service Act - May 1917– Males age 21-30 required to register– By wars end, 2,800,000 were actually drafted
Thousands of women volunteered to serve as nurses, drivers, and clerks
General Pershing is the commander of US troops in Europe
Troops were strictly segregated - African Americans and Latinos served in separate units with ‘white’ officers
Millions of troops needed to be trained and shipped to Europe
Men were trained in the use of rifles, bayonets, gas masks, and grenades
Ships used the convoy system to reduce losses
American Expeditionary Force - called doughboys
Americans on the European Front
1917
Trench warfare continued in France Germany signed a separate peace with
Russia in March, 1918 Germany immediately began new
offensives along the western front The Allied Powers struggled to hold the
lines - Germans were within 50 miles of Paris (again)
Americans on the European Front
1917-1918
In May of 1918 the Americans entered the fighting in force
Americans on the European Front
Throughout France, fresh American troops helped to turn back the German offensive
By September of 1918 the Germans were in full retreat
Americans on the European Front
Aircraft were successfully utilized in World War I by both sides
Bi-planes engaged in dogfights, reconnaissance missions, and bombing raids
Both sides had heroes - aces that shot down enemy planes
Zeppelins and hot air balloons were also used
Americans on the European Front
Heroes in the Air
Manfred von Richthofen Edward Rickenbacker
African American units segregated– not allowed to serve in marines– kept out of combat in navy and army– 369th infantry
Harlem Hell Fighters lent to the French distinguished in battle won the Croix de Guerre
Americans on the European Front
Ending the War Bulgaria and the
Ottoman Empire made a separate peace with the Allies in the autumn of 1918
Austrian-Hungarian Empires collapsed as Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks, declared their independence
The Germans ordered their fleet in Kiel to leave and confront the British
Instead, on October 29th they mutinied
Kaiser fled to Holland on November 10th
Armistice
is signed on
Nov. 11, 1918
Influenza Outbreak Influenza virus was introduced to Europe
by Americans in 1918 Within months, it spread around the
world Viruses flourish in unsanitary conditions
and are easily spread by people in close proximity
Approximately 500,000 Americans and 30 million worldwide died from Influenza
Final Tallies Americans lost 117,000 soldiers in a little over
a year of fighting (53,500KIA;63,000other) Russia, Germany, France, and Austria-
Hungary each lost over 1,000,000 British lost 900,000 Total 16 Million (8,500,000 KIA + 7,500,000
other) Civilians died from disease and starvation
during and after the war
Note: Germany had the most casualties of the
Central Powers, with a total of 7,142,558 Russia had the most casualties of the allies,
with a total of 9,150,000 USA had 7.1% casualties, lowest of the major
countries Austria-Hungary had 90% casualties, largest
of the major countries
Lasting Effects
Map of Europe was redrawn - entire countries disappeared and new ones emerged
Genocide was committed by the Ottomans toward the Armenians
Imperial Russia was lost and the Soviet Union was born
Lost generation - so many young men died or were maimed that their losses effected their countries for many years
Americans on the Home Front
Mobilizing the nation
– finance the war– conserve scarce resources– redirect industry– increase wartime production– organize a propaganda campaign
Americans on the Home Front
Increased taxes – raised 15 billion dollars directly from people
Liberty Bonds Raised more than 20 billion dollars Propaganda posters related buying bonds to
patriotism and/or saving our soldiers lives
Americans on the Home Front
Financing the war:
Campaign for Liberty Bonds
“Hate the Hun”– Stopped teaching German in schools– Renamed hamburgers - Salisbury steaks– German Shepherds became police dogs– German born citizens were discriminated
against and even lynched
Americans on the Home Front
War Industries Board allocated scarce resources established production priorities set prices asked business leaders to comply but threatened
them with Nationalizing their industry if they refused.
most complied and made huge profits off of the wartime production.
Americans on the Home Front
Food Administration
guaranteed high prices to farmers
asked Americans to voluntarily conserve meat and wheat
Victory Gardens rationed meat,
sugar, and other scarce products
Fuel Administration asked Americans to
conserve coal and oil
closed factories due to coal shortages
Forbid coal miners from going on strike
Americans on the Home Front
Lever Food & Fuel Control Act - 1917
Food Administration
Enforcing Loyalty– Committee on Public Information– Focus was propaganda for the war effort– Movies and newspapers were censored
Americans on the Home Front
Suppressing opposition• Espionage Act (1917) – became a crime to
utter, print, write, or publish....(anything negative about) the government, the flag, the military, the draft, war bonds, or the arms industry.
Americans on the Home Front
•Sedition Act (1918) strengthened the Espionage Act
•Schenck V. United States (1919) the supreme court upheld these acts because words could represent a clear and present danger in times of war
Americans on the Home Front
Over 1000 dissenters were imprisoned, including Eugene Debs and members of the IWW
Others were attacked by vigilantes and beaten or lynched
Personal freedoms and the Bill of Rights were seen as secondary to the war effort
Americans on the Home Front
Great Migration - 500,000 African Americans migrated north for factory jobs
After the war, most of them remained in the north but struggled to keep their jobs
Americans on the Home Front
Social Mobility for Women & Minorities
Americans on the Home Front
Over 400,000 women took care of the farms, ran small businesses, and worked in factories
Social Mobility for Women & Minorities
Butler's Brewery
Global Peacemaker
Treaty Of Versailles
Armistice of November 11, 1918 simply ended the war
The Big Four - France, England, USA, and Italy - met in Paris in January 1919 to discuss the actual peace treaty
President Wilson arrived with his 14 points for peace
The other 3 were more interested in spoils
Treaty Of Versailles
Treaty was finally signed at Versailles in May of 1919
Germany admitted responsibility for the war.
War reparations due from Germany (32 billion)
League of Nations was formed
Treaty Of Versailles
Rhineland became a DMZ, up to 31 miles past the Rhine
Saar Basin occupied by the Allies for 15 years
Alsace-Lorraine (a disputed territory between France and Germany) was returned to France
German port of Danzig would be open to Poland
Map of German Cessions - 1919
Treaty Of Versailles
Czechoslovakia was created out of the Sudetenland and part of Austria-Hungary
Yugoslavia was created from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzogenia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia
Germany’s military was disarmed
Treaty Of Versailles
Germany lost all of her colonies in Africa to the League of Nations, to be administered by the British and French
Germany lost all of her colonies in Asia to the League of Nations, to be administered by Australia, New Zealand, and Japan
Germany’s new Republic would have democratic elections
Re-establish independent states of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia
Treaty Of Versailles
Treaty Of Versailles
President Wilson agreed to the treaty, even though he opposed many of the provisions
Treaties in the USA have to be ratified by the Senate
The Senate refused to ratify the treaty They eventually wrote their own treaty
declaring the war over
Treaty Of Versailles
President Wilson toured the USA trying to summon support for the League of Nations
He had a stroke and was incapacitated in September, 1919 until March, 1920
Unbeknown to the American people, his wife Edith ran the country for over six months
Treaty Of Versailles
The War Finally Ends
Americans were tired of European problems and wanted to remain isolated from future problems
America entered the “roaring 20’s” soon after and put the war behind them
In spite of American’s willingness to forget it, the world changed forever due to this war
Ways that the world changed?