wwi: nationalism and total war
DESCRIPTION
PowerPoint presentation by Kerry Ann Miquel For MDSK 5253 EE#3, UNC-CTRANSCRIPT
World War I
Nationalism in Total War
Europe’s longest sustained peace in centuries
took after the Franco-Prussian War ended in 1871
Industrialization and militarization of major European powers (Great Britain, France, Germany) increased animosity
Tension mounted…
On the Path to Total War
It Begins…
June 28, 1914
Archbishop Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip
Austria-Hungary retaliates against the nationalist factions in Serbia, and gives the country an ultimatum.
Austria-Hungary (AH) declares war on Serbia
Russia’s treaty with Serbia forces them to declare war on AH
Germany’s alliance with AH forces them to declare war on Russia
France’s alliance with Russia causes them to declare war on Germany
Germany invades Belgium (neutral) for easier access to France
Britain’s treaty with France requires the Commonwealth to declare war on Germany
Things escalate
The Ottoman empire allies with AH and Germany. Japan allies with Britain. Italy (eventually) sides with the GB.
German U-Boats begin a blockade of Great Britain
United States declares its neutrality.
The Lusitania is sunk, killing 128 Americans. U.S. warns them to stop unrestricted sub attacks.
Germany limits attacks temporarily, but restarts in February 1917
U.S. Congress declares war on Germany in April 1917
… and escalate
Battle of Tennenberg: Germany’s most successful battle on
the Eastern Front Poor planning by Russia caused high casualties: almost
250,000 Russian deaths Significant because it reduced support for Russian
involvement in the conflict
Battle of Gallipoli: Allies attempt to take the Gallipoli peninsula from the Ottomans Poor planning led to an unsuccessful campaign
Battle of Verdun: Longest battle of the War Ended in a draw More than one million casualties
Early Major Battles
Why such high casualties?
First mechanized war Artillery, airplanes,
tanks, submarines
Trench Warfare An estimated 1/3 of
Allied casualties took place in the trenches
Disease, infestation caused constant medical issues
The Battle of Passchendaele: Small gains for
the Allies, at a cost of 700,000 lives
The March Offensive: German Blitzkrieg In an attempt to push the British out of France
before they receive U.S. assistance, the Germans begin an aggressive campaign
Artillery cannot keep pace with infantry, so initial success turns into failure with high casualties.
The tide turns…
British on American forces successfully push
back against the German Blitzkrieg on all fronts
Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates the German throne on November 9, 1918
Germany and the Allies sign an armistice on November 11, 1918, effectively ending the war
Resolution
Paris Peace Conference: The Allies establish
the peace terms for the Central Powers through a series of treaties. The Treaty of Versailles: Officially ended the war
with Germany Placed strict economic penalties on Germany
through reparations Restricted size and scope of German military Reestablished borders of 1871, and stripped
Germany of its colonial holdings.
The Aftermath
The League of Nations was established at the
Paris Peace Conference Four “Great Powers” (U.S., Great Britain, France,
Italy) established the League of Nations with the goal of maintaining world peace
Responsible for “managing” the former Ottoman Empire and German colonies
The Aftermath
Peace?
The burden of reparations and domestic problems plagued the new Weimar Republic. Germans blamed the Treaty
of Versailles
The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew Tsar Nicholas II. Gained support because of
Russia’s involvement in WWI Started to establish
communist government throughout Russia
Gained full control of the country at the end of the Russian Revolution in 1921
Established the Soviet Union
“The Bolshevik”Boris Kustodiev, 1920
Learning Check: Political Cartoons
Socratic Dialogue
Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What is the main idea of this cartoon?• What do you think is meant by “The Crime of the Ages?"• What other details do you notice in this cartoon?
Learning Check: Political Cartoons• Which countries are represented by the dog and the man in this
cartoon?• What is the cartoon saying about the relationship between these two
countries?
Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What is this cartoon referencing?• What is the cartoonist implying about the event?
Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What part of WWI is this cartoon referencing?• What is this cartoon foreshadowing?